What does the FDA oversee regarding prescription medications?

The FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, plays a critical role in ensuring public health by overseeing the safety and efficacy of prescription medications before they can be marketed to consumers. This process involves thorough evaluation and approval of new drugs, which includes assessing the results of clinical trials to confirm that a drug works as intended and meets safety standards.

When considering prescription medications, the FDA's responsibilities include reviewing the data submitted by pharmaceutical companies regarding the drug's ingredients, its intended use, potential side effects, and the outcomes of tests conducted on human subjects. This comprehensive oversight ensures that only safe and effective medications reach the market, safeguarding consumer health.

In contrast, while the FDA does have roles related to packaging and distribution, those aspects do not encompass the complete scope of its responsibilities regarding prescription medications. Additionally, the organization’s involvement with over-the-counter drugs is separate from its primary mandate concerning prescribed medications, which focuses on ensuring their safety and issuing approvals for new drugs based on rigorous scientific evaluation.