South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

Which requirement was established by the Durham Humphrey Amendment of 1951 for prescription bottles?

1. Must include dosage information

2. Must contain a medication guide

3. Must have a legend stating "caution federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription"

4. Must provide a contact information for the pharmacist

The correct answer is: Must have a legend stating "caution federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription"

The Durham-Humphrey Amendment of 1951 established specific regulations regarding the labeling of prescription medications. One of the key requirements was the introduction of the "legend" statement, which states "Caution: Federal law prohibits the dispensing of this drug without a prescription." This requirement was aimed at making it clear to both pharmacists and patients that certain medications could only be dispensed with a valid prescription from a licensed practitioner. The inclusion of this legend on prescription bottles serves to emphasize the controlled nature of these medications and their potential for misuse if dispensed without professional oversight. This helps ensure that medications are used safely and appropriately, aligning with the overarching goal of the amendment to distinguish between prescription and over-the-counter drugs. While dosage information is certainly important on prescription labels and medication guides provide essential information to patients, these are not the cornerstone requirement established specifically by the Durham-Humphrey Amendment. Additionally, while contact information for pharmacists is beneficial, it is not mandated by this particular piece of legislation. Thus, the requirement for the legend on prescription bottles stands as a significant aspect of the amendment.