Final answer:
To provide remote pharmacy services, drugs must first undergo a stringent risk assessment and receive FDA approval. After approval, they are continuously monitored through a pharmacovigilance system to ensure long-term safety and efficacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to providing remote pharmacy services using automated pharmacy systems, certain requirements must be met. Initially, a drug must be assessed for its suitability for human administration based on a thorough risk assessment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a crucial role in this process, regulating the medicines that pharmacies can sell in the U.S., ensuring their safety and efficacy. This involves extensive testing and adherence to regulations, which can often take years, to protect the public from unsafe medications.
Once a drug is approved for market, it's subject to continued monitoring through a pharmacovigilance system, which allows companies to evaluate the drug's long-term safety and its effects on specific patient subgroups. This ongoing evaluation is critical as it ensures that any adverse effects or issues are identified and addressed promptly, maintaining patient safety and the integrity of the pharmacy service being provided.