Final answer:
Supplements in the United States are not regulated to the same extent as prescription and over-the-counter drugs, with the FDA treating them more like food, and not requiring the strict safety and efficacy standards demanded from pharmaceuticals.
Step-by-step explanation:
False. In the United States, supplements are not regulated the same way as prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does oversee supplements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, but these products are treated more like food. This means that while dietary supplements must adhere to the FDA's Good Manufacturing Standards, they do not have to meet the more stringent safety and efficacy standards that are required for pharmaceutical drugs. Also, supplements can only make certain claims about their benefits which are not approved by the FDA in the same way that drugs are, and they must carry disclaimers on their labels. Strict regulations for pharmaceuticals may protect consumers from unsafe medications, but they also result in some losers due to extended testing periods and delays in drug accessibility.