Final answer:
Dietary supplements and vitamins are often available as Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs, which do not require a prescription and have less strict FDA regulations compared to prescription medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dietary supplements and vitamins are considered non-legend drugs, which means they can be purchased without a prescription and are most commonly known as Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs. Unlike controlled substances or prescription medications, OTC drugs and dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA but with less stringent requirements compared to prescription drugs. OTC drugs can include a variety of ingredients and are deemed safe for consumer use without the need for a medical practitioner's supervision. Meanwhile, dietary supplements are intended to add nutritional value to the diet but should not replace whole foods as they do not contain the same beneficial substances, such as phytochemicals and fiber, found in natural food sources.