Why is the government involved in regulating pain medication to address medication safety?
Regulatory bodies govern various industries, develop guidance and have the power to impose restrictions and fines if regulations are not met. They are usually government agencies. In the United States, the federal regulatory body that oversees the drug and medical device industry is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. From a medication standpoint, FDA regulates new drug approvals, product labeling for both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and the manufacturing process. New laws also give FDA authority to regulate products after they have been approved. Because of its role in regulating controlled substances, including ingredients in pain medication, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is also influential in shaping federal pain policy and regulations. Prescription drug abuse is a serious public health issue. FDA and DEA are involved with pain medication regulation to attempt to curb its misuse and ab
