Is a medication considered adulterated if its strength differs from that specified in the National Formulary (NF)?

A medication is considered adulterated if its strength, quality, or purity differs from what is established in the National Formulary (NF) when it claims to be a medication listed in that reference. This is crucial because the NF serves as a recognized standard for medications in the United States, ensuring that products meet specific criteria for efficacy and safety.

When a drug is labeled as following or being in accordance with the NF, it is implicitly promising to adhere to the standards set within that reference. If it does not meet those defined standards—such as having an incorrect strength—it undermines the trust in that drug's efficacy and safety, which may result in an adulterated designation.

The option mentioning effective medication does not apply here because even if a drug is effective, it could still be classified as adulterated if it deviates from NF specifications, as adherence to these standards is a legal requirement. Other choices discuss different conditions which do not fundamentally address the core premise of what constitutes adulteration in the context of the NF.