What law gives the FDA the authority to determine the schedule of controlled substances?

The correct answer is the Controlled Substance Act, which is the foundational legislation that establishes the framework for regulating controlled substances in the United States. This law empowers the FDA, alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), to classify substances into different schedules based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety.

The Controlled Substance Act divides drugs into schedules I through V, with Schedule I substances being those that have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, while Schedule II to V include substances with varying degrees of accepted medical use and abuse potential.

Understanding this law is crucial because it directly influences how pharmacists and healthcare providers manage and dispense controlled substances. Each schedule carries its own regulations regarding prescribing and dispensing, making compliance with the Controlled Substance Act critical for ensuring public health and safety. The other laws listed do not specifically grant the FDA the authority to determine scheduling for controlled substances in such a manner.