What is the role of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP)?

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) plays a crucial role in establishing quality and safety standards for drugs, which is vital for ensuring the effectiveness and safety of medications used by patients. The USP is an official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and their ingredients.

By setting standards for identity, strength, quality, and purity, the USP ensures that drugs are manufactured consistently and are safe for public use. Compliance with USP standards is critical for manufacturers, as these standards ensure that products meet rigorous criteria for safety and efficacy, thereby protecting public health.

The other options do not accurately represent the USP's core functions. For instance, the regulation of drug pricing is typically the responsibility of other agencies and organizations, while the approval of medications, including over-the-counter products, is managed by the FDA. Compiling a list of all pharmaceuticals is not within the primary scope of the USP, as its focus is more on setting specific standards rather than simply listing medications.