What practices does the FDCA prohibit regarding drugs?

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) is a comprehensive set of laws governing the safety and efficacy of drugs and other products. One of its primary purposes is to protect consumers from harmful products. The act explicitly prohibits the reselling of adulterated or misbranded drugs because such practices can lead to serious health risks and undermine the integrity of the healthcare system. Adulterated drugs may contain harmful substances or have been produced under unsafe conditions, while misbranded drugs lack proper labeling or truthful claims, misleading both healthcare providers and patients. By prohibiting these actions, the FDCA aims to ensure that only safe and effective medications are available to the public, thus safeguarding public health.

The other options pertain to practices that are either encouraged or necessary for drug safety and efficacy. Creating child-resistant packaging is a safety measure to prevent accidental ingestion by children. Manufacturing clinically trialed drugs is a crucial step in ensuring that medications are proven safe and effective before they reach the market. Conducting pediatric drug trials is essential for understanding how medications affect children differently than adults. None of these practices are prohibited by the FDCA; rather, they are integral to the responsible development and distribution of pharmaceuticals.