Final answer:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls the handling of scheduled drugs in clinics and ensures the safety and efficacy of medicines. The FDA's regulatory process is critical for consumer protection but may delay new treatments. The agency has had past instances of corruption, but maintains a key role in promoting public health and overseeing drug laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The agency responsible for controlling the handling of scheduled drugs in clinics is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA ensures safety and efficacy of medicines by regulating which drugs pharmacies can sell. Scheduled drugs, which have a high potential for abuse, must adhere to strict guidelines and regulations before they can reach the market. This rigorous process protects consumers from unsafe medications; however, it can also delay access to new treatments and inadvertently harm patients who might have benefited from earlier access to these drugs. The FDA operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services and oversees public health promotions and the enforcement of food and drug laws.
In terms of advertising and promotion, the FDA's Office of Prescription Drug Promotion closely scrutinizes prescription drug promotion, while the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates over-the-counter drug advertisements. Despite the critical oversight work done by the FDA, the agency has faced issues in the past, such as the 1989 scandal where FDA officials and drug manufacturers were involved in corruption and faced criminal charges for accepting and giving bribes connected to the approval of generic drugs.