Which regulatory body is primarily responsible for overseeing pharmacy practice in the United States?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is primarily responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs and overseeing the pharmaceutical industry, which includes the regulation of medications and their approval. While the FDA plays a critical role in the overall pharmaceutical landscape, specifically related to the regulation of drugs, the main body charged with overseeing pharmacy practice itself is actually the state boards of pharmacy. Their focus is on the practice of pharmacy, which includes licensing pharmacists, inspecting pharmacies, and enforcing pharmacy laws and regulations that ensure safe practices in medication dispensing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on the other hand, specifically regulates controlled substances and enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations. While it has significant authority in overseeing the distribution of certain medications, it does not oversee pharmacy practice as a whole.

Organizations like the CDC focus on public health and disease prevention rather than pharmacy practice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is primarily focused on national security and law enforcement, which does not pertain directly to pharmacy operations.

Thus, while the FDA's role is significant in drug safety and approval, the question pertains specifically to the oversight of pharmacy practice, which is more aligned with state pharmacy boards. Therefore, the context of pharmacy practice regulation is necessary to differentiate the roles