Final answer:
Wholesale drug distributors are not regulated by the NC Board of Pharmacy, but primarily by the FDA. State boards regulate pharmacy practice within the state and licensure of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The NC Board of Pharmacy's authority does not extend to regulating wholesale drug distributors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Are wholesale drug distributors regulated by the NC Board of Pharmacy? The correct answer to this question is b) No. In the United States, the regulation of medicines, including the approval and monitoring of drugs that can be sold, is primarily the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA ensures the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices. Their oversight includes the entire drug development process, from initial testing to market release, and continual monitoring of drugs once they are on the market.
However, state-based boards of pharmacy, such as the NC Board of Pharmacy, regulate the practice of pharmacy within the state, including licensure of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and the operation of pharmacies, but do not directly regulate the wholesale distributors of drugs. Wholesale distributors, while subject to state and federal requirements, generally come under the purview of the FDA's regulatory framework and are also subject to specific federal laws like the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).
The question references an important aspect of healthcare regulation, but also prompts a discussion about the broader impacts of medical regulations. The losers of strict medical regulations might include companies that incur high costs and delays in bringing a drug to market, patients who may have to wait longer for potentially life-saving medication, and innovators deterred by the complex regulatory landscape.