Final answer:
Commanding Officers and Component Commanders do not have the authority to authorize non-OTC medications for Active Duty Army/Navy members. Only licensed healthcare providers can prescribe medications within their scope of practice, following regulations such as those from the FDA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Commanding Officers (CO's) and Component Commanders may authorize medications that are not approved as Over The Counter (OTC) to be dispensed to Active Duty Army/Navy is false. Commanding Officers and Component Commanders do not have the authority to approve prescription medications. The power to prescribe medications lies with healthcare providers who are licensed to practice medicine and prescribe medications within the scope of their profession. Approval of medications, either for over-the-counter or prescription use, is regulated by organizations such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and military medical personnel must adhere to these standards.