What was established by the Drug Listing Act of 1972?

The Drug Listing Act of 1972 established the requirement for the creation of National Drug Codes (NDC) for every medication that is marketed in the United States. The NDC is a unique identifier that serves multiple purposes, including facilitating the identification and tracking of drugs throughout the distribution process. Each NDC number consists of three segments which represent the labeler, product, and trade package size, providing essential information about the medication.

This act was significant because it standardized the identification of prescription and over-the-counter medications, which aids in preventing medication errors and enhances safety in drug distribution and monitoring. The introduction of NDC numbers has been vital for healthcare professionals, pharmacies, and regulatory agencies like the FDA in maintaining accurate records and ensuring drug accountability.

The other choices involve important aspects of pharmacy practice but were not the focus of the Drug Listing Act of 1972. For instance, labeling rules, drug classification guidelines, and advertising regulations have separate legal frameworks and have been established by other laws and regulations.