Final answer:
Medication recalls are categorized into three classes based on the potential severity of the health hazard: Class I, Class II, and Class III.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medication recalls occur when products are requested to return back to the manufacturer due to safety concerns or defects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees medication recalls in the United States to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines. Medication recalls are categorized into three classes based on the potential severity of the health hazard:
- Class I: The use of the product may cause serious adverse health consequences or even death.
- Class II: The use of the product may cause temporary or reversible adverse health consequences.
- Class III: The use of the product is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences.
These classifications help identify the urgency and severity of the recall, enabling appropriate actions to be taken to protect public health.