What is the compendium of officially recognized drugs called?

• A. Pharmacopoeia
• B. National Formulary (NF)
• C. Merck Manual
• D. Drug Reference Guide

Answer: (B)

The National Formulary is the compendium of officially recognized drugs because it serves as the authoritative collection of official standards for drug substances and dosage forms used in practice, including their identity, strength, purity, packaging, and labeling. In the United States, the NF is part of the formal reference (often seen together as USP-NF) that regulatory and healthcare professionals rely on to ensure consistency and safety in drug products. The Pharmacopoeia is a related term that refers to standards for drugs in a broader sense, but the NF specifically represents the official formulary recognized for therapeutic use. The Merck Manual and Drug Reference Guide are clinical resources, not official compendia of drug standards.