Final answer:
OTC drugs in the North American Drug Market are available without a prescription and are regulated by the FDA to ensure safety and efficacy. The advertising of these drugs is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The North American Drug Market for OTC (Over-the-Counter) drugs is available without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a list of approximately 800 approved ingredients that are combined in various ways to create more than 100,000 OTC drug products. Many of these ingredients were once prescription drugs that are now deemed safe enough for use without a doctor's oversight, like ibuprofen.
OTC drugs are regulated by federal laws and the FDA ensures their safety and efficacy. While the FDA's Office of Prescription Drug Promotion monitors prescription drug advertising, the Federal Trade Commission regulates OTC drug advertising. This regulatory environment provides protection from unsafe drugs and ensures that pharmacies sell only approved medicines.