Ep. 27: The Poison Squad: When Medicine Could Kill You

Before 1938, medicine could literally kill you—and often did. In this episode of Signed Into Law, we explore the shocking story behind the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938, the groundbreaking legislation that transformed consumer safety in America. Discover how a tragic poisoning incident involving a popular children's medicine sparked a public outcry that forced Congress to act, requiring pharmaceutical companies to prove their drugs were safe before selling them to the public.From the pioneering work of Harvey Wiley's "Poison Squad" to the creation of modern drug regulation, this episode reveals how one law revolutionized public health and set the standard for consumer protection worldwide. Join us as we uncover the history that still protects us today.Subscribe to Signed Into Law for more fascinating stories about the laws that shaped America. New episodes drop weekly!This episode includes AI-generated content.