What is the major objective of the Orange Book?

The primary objective of the Orange Book, formally known as the Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, is to provide information on the therapeutic equivalence of multi-source products. This resource assists healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients in determining if generic products or alternatives can be safely substituted for brand-name drugs. The Orange Book categorizes drugs based on their therapeutic equivalence to ensure that they are expected to produce the same clinical effect when administered to patients under the conditions specified in the labeling. By offering this critical information, the Orange Book plays a vital role in promoting the safe and effective use of medications in practice.

While the other options touch on various aspects of pharmaceuticals, they do not align with the main purpose of the Orange Book. For instance, the book does not primarily focus on providing information solely on single-source products or regulating patent medications. Additionally, while chemical classification is relevant in pharmacology, the Orange Book is specifically aimed at evaluating drug products based on their therapeutic equivalence rather than classifying them by chemical structure.