How is "adulteration" defined in pharmacy terms?

The definition of "adulteration" in pharmacy refers to a situation where a drug's strength, quality, or purity falls below established standards. This concept is critical because it ensures that medications provided to patients are safe and effective for their intended use. The standards for strength and purity are typically set by regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are essential for maintaining the integrity of pharmaceuticals.

While contamination during production is a significant concern, it is more closely associated with the concept of "contamination" rather than specifically defining "adulteration." Although poor storage practices and expired medications pose risks to drug quality, they do not specifically define adulteration in the technical sense. The notion of a drug being expired relates to its efficacy and safety but does not reflect an initial tampering or failing of purity standards. Each of these scenarios touches on different aspects of drug quality but does not encapsulate the precise legal and regulatory framework relating to adulteration as defined by pharmacy law.