Which law requires medication manufacturers to place a label stating, "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription" on medication stock bottles?

The law that requires medication manufacturers to place the label "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription" on medication stock bottles is indeed the Durham-Humphrey Amendment. This amendment, enacted in 1951, clarified the distinction between prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

The purpose of the label is to inform consumers and pharmacists that a drug can only be dispensed through a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription from a healthcare provider. This regulation emphasizes the importance of professional oversight in the dispensing of certain medications that may require medical supervision due to their potential side effects, risk for abuse, or need for patient-specific dosage adjustments.

Understanding this helps clarify the role of the Durham-Humphrey Amendment in protecting public health by controlling the distribution and use of prescription medications, thus ensuring that they are used safely and effectively under appropriate medical guidance.