Who oversees the investigation of pharmaceutical discrepancies or illegal activities?

• A. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• B. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• C. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• D. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Answer: (C)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for overseeing the investigation of pharmaceutical discrepancies or illegal activities, particularly those related to controlled substances. The DEA is a federal agency under the Department of Justice, and its primary mission is to combat drug trafficking and enforce the controlled substance laws of the United States. This includes investigating suspicious activities involving prescription medications, including prescription fraud, illicit manufacturing and distribution of narcotics, and any other violations of drug laws.

In this context, the other agencies, while significant in their respective roles, do not focus specifically on pharmaceutical discrepancies in the same manner. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily ensures the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products and oversees drug approval processes but does not conduct investigations into illegal activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses mainly on public health and disease prevention rather than drug law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) handles a broader range of criminal investigations, including terrorism and organized crime, but does not specialize in pharmaceutical laws and regulations. Thus, the DEA is the agency that directly aligns with the investigation of pharmaceutical discrepancies and illegal activities.