Final answer:
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), enacted in 1938 and significantly amended by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) of 2007, is the current Pharmacy Act that regulates medicines sold in the U.S. It protects the public from unsafe drugs but also results in potential delays in accessing new treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The current Pharmacy Act in the United States, known as the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), was originally enacted in 1938. It has been amended numerous times to respond to new challenges and technological advances in drug manufacturing and distribution.
One significant update was the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) of 2007, which introduced more rigorous processes for drug approval and monitoring post-market drug safety. The FD&C Act is a critical piece of legislation that ensures the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, the nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
Prior to the FD&C Act, the 1906 Food and Drugs Act was the initial attempt to regulate the contents and labeling of pharmaceuticals and food products. Over the years, and with lessons learned from various public health incidents, the need for more comprehensive regulation became apparent, leading to the enactment of the 1938 Act.
When considering who benefits and suffers from strict medical regulations, the general public are the obvious winners, being protected from unsafe or ineffective drugs. However, the more anonymous losers in such a tightly controlled system can include patients who experience delayed access to potentially life-saving treatments due to the lengthy and expensive process of drug development and approval.