South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

In what year did the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) become law?

1. 1906

2. 1938

3. 1962

4. 1982

The correct answer is: 1938

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) became law in 1938. This legislation was crucial in establishing the framework for the regulation of food, drugs, and cosmetics in the United States. Prior to the FDCA, there were concerns about the safety and efficacy of food and drug products, particularly highlighted by earlier issues such as the use of dangerous ingredients and misleading labeling. The 1938 act introduced significant changes, including the requirement for pre-market safety testing and approval of new drugs, which provided more rigorous standards for the safety and quality of products available to consumers. The law also gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to oversee and enforce these regulations. Understanding this historical context is essential for recognizing how contemporary pharmacy practice and consumer safety regulations have evolved. The other years mentioned correspond with different significant regulatory developments in U.S. history but do not pertain to the establishment of the FDCA itself.