What does the Orange Book primarily provide?

The Orange Book, officially known as "Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations," primarily provides comparative therapeutic equivalence ratings for prescription drugs. This resource, published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is crucial for determining whether two medications can be considered therapeutically equivalent. Therapeutic equivalence means that two drug products can be expected to have the same clinical effect and safety profile when administered to patients under the conditions specified in the labeling.

This resource is particularly important for pharmacists and healthcare providers when evaluating generic medications compared to their brand-name counterparts. It includes information on whether a drug is an "A" rating (therapeutically equivalent) or a "B" rating (not therapeutically equivalent), which aids in ensuring safe and effective medication use.

While other resources may provide details about drug prices, injectable drug compatibility, or pharmacy regulations, the primary function of the Orange Book is to facilitate informed decisions about therapeutic equivalency, supporting both prescribers and pharmacists in their efforts to provide high-quality care.