West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

Is an NDC number required on all OTC drug labels?

1. No, but it is requested

2. Yes, it is mandatory

3. Yes, but only for certain drugs

4. No, it is not necessary at all

The correct answer is: No, but it is requested

The National Drug Code (NDC) number is not mandatory on all over-the-counter (OTC) drug labels, but its absence may lead to requests for that information for better identification and tracking of products. The NDC serves as a universal product identifier for drugs and contributes to the drug's regulatory information, helping pharmacies, healthcare providers, and consumers distinguish between different medications. While the NDC is highly recommended and commonly found on OTC drugs to facilitate the identification and reimbursement processes, it is not a strict requirement enforced by law for all OTC products. This allows for flexibility in labeling, especially for products that might be sold in smaller quantities or markdowns where regulatory oversight is not as stringent.