Which agency is primarily responsible for monitoring the safety of medications?

The FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, is the primary agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medications in the United States. This agency evaluates new drug applications, conducts inspections of manufacturing facilities, and monitors drugs even after they have been approved for public use. Through its various programs, the FDA conducts adverse event reporting, manages recalls of unsafe medications, and ensures that pharmaceutical companies comply with regulations aimed at protecting public health.

In contrast, while the DEA focuses on the regulation and control of narcotic and controlled substances to prevent abuse and addiction, it does not have a role in the safety monitoring of medications. The CDC primarily deals with public health and disease prevention, focusing more on infectious diseases and health crises rather than direct medication safety. The WHO is involved in international public health and guidelines but does not directly oversee medication safety in individual countries. Therefore, the FDA's unique focus on drug safety makes it the correct answer in this context.