What is a primary responsibility of the FDA?

The primary responsibility of the FDA includes the regulation of over-the-counter drug safety. This involves ensuring that all OTC medications meet safety standards before they can be marketed to the public. The FDA evaluates the safety, effectiveness, labeling, and manufacturing processes of these drugs to protect consumers from products that may pose risks. The agency also monitors post-market safety and can issue recalls if a drug poses an unexpected health risk after it has been approved.

Other choices touch upon important topics in health and medication, but they do not align with the FDA's core regulatory functions. Health education initiatives and hospital prescription protocols fall outside the FDA's jurisdiction, as they are managed by other entities or institutions. While the FDA does have regulatory roles concerning dietary supplements, the process is not as rigorous as that for over-the-counter and prescription medications, making the regulation of over-the-counter drug safety a more definitive primary responsibility of the FDA.