What is the difference between the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations?

The Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) serve distinct roles in the U.S. regulatory process, and understanding their differences is key for professionals in regulated fields such as pharmacy.

The Federal Register is a daily publication that provides a forum for federal government agencies to announce new regulations, proposed rules, public notices, and other documents. This frequent publication allows for timely communication of new and pending actions from the government to the public.

On the other hand, the Code of Federal Regulations is published annually and organizes all the final rules and regulations issued by federal agencies. The CFR is updated once a year and is divided into 50 titles that cover broad areas of federal regulation.

The answer choice highlighting that the Federal Register is daily and the Code is published annually accurately reflects this key distinction. It emphasizes how these documents function in tandem: the Federal Register frequently introduces new regulations and proposed changes, while the CFR serves as a comprehensive archive of finalized regulations. This understanding is crucial for anyone working within regulatory frameworks, including pharmacists practicing in various jurisdictions.