If a patient brings in a forged prescription for Robitussin AC, how is this drug classified?

Robitussin AC, which contains both codeine and guaifenesin, is classified as a controlled substance due to the presence of codeine. When a forged prescription is presented for a controlled substance, the implications can revolve around the legality and labeling of the drug.

In this context, the classification “misbranded” pertains to the presentation and legality of the medication itself. A misbranded drug is defined as one whose labeling is false or misleading in any particular way. Since the prescription is forged, it is inherently misleading because it does not accurately reflect a legitimate prescription from a licensed practitioner, which is a legal requirement for any controlled substance.

The term “adulterated” refers to drugs that fail to meet the FDA's standards for purity and quality, often due to the addition of potentially harmful substances or a lack of necessary components. In this case, since the drug itself is not physically contaminated or altered – it is solely the prescription that is fraudulent – the label of adulteration does not apply here.

Thus, the correct classification of Robitussin AC, when prescribed through fraudulent means, aligns with the definition of being misbranded, as it relates to the inaccuracies surrounding the prescription. This understanding highlights the legal