What medications require a prescription to be dispensed in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the requirement for prescriptions is based on the classification of medications. Prescription-only medications are those that are deemed too risky for use without professional medical oversight due to their potential for side effects, interactions, or misuse. Controlled substances are included in this category, as they are substances that have a high potential for abuse or dependency, and thus require stringent regulations surrounding their use and dispensing.

Medications that require a prescription must be evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider, ensuring that they are appropriate for a patient’s specific condition. This helps to safeguard the health of patients and ensure proper management of their treatments. Over-the-counter medications, while readily available without a prescription, do not fall under this requirement as they are classified as safe for general use when the directions on the label are followed.

Given this context, option B accurately reflects the need for a prescription due to the nature of prescription-only medications and controlled substances, which are regulated to protect patient safety.