What does the Prescription Drug Marketing Act prohibit?

The Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA), enacted in 1987, was designed to address issues related to the distribution and marketing of prescription drugs, particularly to prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the supply chain. This law primarily prohibits several key practices to ensure that prescription medications are properly managed and dispensed.

One of its significant prohibitions is on the reimportation of drugs, which means that drugs that have been exported for sale in foreign markets cannot be brought back into the United States for sale. This is to ensure that medications are not altered or tampered with, maintaining safety and efficacy.

Additionally, the PDMA restricts the sale of prescription drug samples. These samples are often used to promote drugs for a manufacturer, and without regulation, they could be misused or diverted from legitimate medical purposes, potentially leading to unsafe drug distribution practices.

Furthermore, the act prohibits the resale of prescriptions by hospitals. This aims to ensure that prescriptions are adequately tracked and that medications are provided in a safe and appropriate manner without the risk of being sold outside the regulated pharmacy channels.

Thus, the inclusion of all these prohibitions reflects the PDMA's goal of protecting patients and maintaining the integrity of the drug supply chain, making it evident that the correct response encompasses all these