The pharmaceutical industry is now well regulated by the government. The government makes sure that claims made by drug companies are valid and that products have limited risks.

Discussion 

What possible problems might concern consumers because there were no regulations for foods and medicines?

Consumers might worry about contaminated foods and medicines, medicines that did not cure illnesses they claimed to cure, and medicines that did not have any health benefits.

Discussion 

What instructions and warnings are written on prescription bottles or over-the-counter medications today?

There are dosage instructions. There are warnings related to when and when not to take a medication. There are instructions as to who should be taking the medication and who should not. There are also drug interaction warnings.

Discussion 

Why would a producer add an unnecessary chemical to a food or drug?

It can keep costs down by attempting to synthesize the original material or by diluting it.

Advertising

Patent medications were one of the first major products promoted by widespread advertising.

Medicines would list exotic ingredients or promise incredible results.

Have you ever heard the term snakeoil salesman. Snake oil was a commonly listed ingredient in many liniments from the era. When the truth was learned about these products, the term snake-oil salesman took on the meaning of someone selling a bogus item.

Government Regulations

Since the reforms of the Progressive Era, the government has assumed an important responsibility in protecting the safety and well-being of its citizens.

It does not stop simply with what people eat and drink. The government also is responsible for maintaining important regulations of the environment (the Environmental Protection Agency), the economy (the Securities and Exchange Commission), housing, the workplace, and several other aspects of Americans’ lives.

Reforms During Roosevelt’s Presidency

Business Reform Using the Sherman Antitrust Act, the U.S. government stopped Northern Securities, a railroad company, from creating a monopoly. The Department of Commerce and Labor was created to regulate big business. The Hepburn Act strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) by allowing it to set railroad rates.

Workplace Safety In 1906 laws were passed setting a minimum age for employment and a maximum number of hours children could work. Progressives pushed for workers’ compensation laws to pay workers injured on the job.

Consumer Safety Because of muckraking, by 1906, citizens had become more aware of the dangers in food and drugs. Roosevelt and Congress passed the Meat Inspection Act. Under the Food and Drug Act passed in 1906, it became illegal to sell or ship any impure or falsely labeled food or drug.

Government Regulation

The word regulate comes from the Latin word for “to rule,” as opposed to “rules are meant to be broken.”

When a government regulates an organization, it sets up rules for the organization’s operation.

Discussion 

Why is business competition good for the consumer?

When consumers have a choice of products or services on which to spend their money, businesses are forced to lower prices and improve quality to be able to compete.

Discussion 

Why didn’t the government outlaw child labor entirely?

The loss of many jobs could slow the economy; families relied on children’s incomes to make ends meet.

Discussion 

Why is it especially important that sanitary standards are kept up at a meat factory?

Meat can spoil or become infected with bacteria if exposed to the wrong conditions. Consequently, tainted meat can sicken and even kill people.

Discussion

What were some achievements of the Progressive movement?

The Progressive movement identified societal ills that needed to be addressed. Laws were passed to protect consumers and workers. Government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration were established.

Discussion

What would be an example of what Roosevelt considered “misconduct?

The practices in meatpacking plants or false advertising by drug companies