Just as building codes protect our homes and safety guidelines protect us in our cars, quality standards play a critical role in safeguarding the medicines we are prescribed, the dietary supplements we consume, and the foods we eat. For nearly 200 years, USP has developed and updated standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients with the needs and quality standards of patients and consumers in mind. The videos and resources featured on this page help explain why quality standards are an important part of protecting public health.
USP standards help preserve the integrity and quality of medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients, and their associated supply chains. Read specific examples of how these standards have benefited the public and the industries that supply these vital substances.
In 2007 and 2008 hundreds of patients suffered serious adverse reactions or died after being treated with adulterated versions of a commonly used blood thinner, heparin. See what happened and how USP’s rapid collaborative work to develop new quality standards has helped prevent future problems. Learn More.
Read a first-hand account of how quality standards provide a valuable self-regulatory tool for an enzyme manufacturer whose products are used in a variety of commercial applications worldwide. Learn More.
Learn how the regulatory affairs office of an international chemical supplier relies on USP food ingredient standards to reassure customers of product line quality and reinforce company credibility. Learn More.
USP was founded in 1820 specifically to create standards to help ensure uniform quality and consistency among medicines administered in the 22 states that then comprised the United States. Today, USP standards are used in more than 140 countries. View an interactive map of the regions where we work.
