Which schedule of drugs requires a prescription?

The correct answer, which states that Schedule IV drugs require a prescription, aligns with the classification system established by the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule IV drugs are considered to have a lower potential for abuse relative to Schedules I through III, but they still require a prescription for legal dispensation. This requirement is in place to ensure proper medical oversight when these medications are used, given that they can still have a potential for dependence or misuse, albeit lower than higher schedule drugs.

In addition to Schedule IV, both Schedule II and Schedule III drugs also require a prescription, but they are classified according to their potential for abuse and the medical necessity of monitoring. Schedule II drugs, for example, have a high potential for abuse, which requires stricter regulations in terms of prescription and dispensing. Schedule III drugs, while still requiring a prescription, have a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II drugs.

In contrast, Schedule I drugs are classified as having no accepted medical use in the United States and are completely prohibited from being prescribed. Therefore, only Schedule IV drugs and the higher schedules of II and III specifically require a prescription, with variations in how strictly they are regulated.