What role does the FDA play in medication management?

The role of the FDA in medication management is primarily to ensure that medications are safe and effective before they reach the market. This involves a rigorous process of evaluating new drugs through clinical trials and assessing their safety and efficacy based on scientific evidence. The FDA examines data submitted by pharmaceutical companies, considering factors such as potential side effects, dosages, and effectiveness for specific conditions. Only after this comprehensive evaluation does the FDA grant approval for a medication to be marketed to the public, thereby protecting consumer health and ensuring that medications available are both reliable and beneficial.

Other roles, such as setting prices for medications, approving herbal remedies, or providing direct healthcare services to patients, are not within the FDA's mandate. The agency focuses on the regulation and oversight of drugs, food, and other health-related products to ensure public safety.