What significant action did the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 establish regarding new drug marketing?

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 established a crucial requirement for the pharmaceutical industry by mandating that manufacturers must obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before marketing new drugs. This process involves filing a New Drug Application (NDA), which must demonstrate the drug's safety and effectiveness based on scientific evidence before it can be made available to the public.

The requirement aims to protect the public health by ensuring that new medications undergo rigorous evaluation to confirm their safety profile and therapeutic efficacy. This legislative change was a direct response to historical incidents where unsafe drugs were marketed without proper oversight, highlighting the importance of regulatory processes in the pharmaceutical industry to safeguard patients.

Understanding this act is fundamental for pharmacy technicians, as it underscores the importance of compliance with regulatory standards and the ethical responsibility in ensuring patient safety.