What term refers to drugs that have no recognized medical use?

The term that refers to drugs that have no recognized medical use is illegal substances. These drugs may be prohibited by law due to their potential for abuse, addiction, or harmful effects on individuals and society. Unlike prescription drugs, which are authorized for medical use and require a doctor's approval, or over-the-counter drugs that can be purchased without a prescription for specific health issues, illegal substances lack any accepted therapeutic benefit.

Controlled substances encompass a broader category that includes both illegal drugs and those that are regulated due to their potential for abuse. However, the key distinction is that even controlled substances can have legitimate medical uses, unlike illegal substances. Therefore, identifying illegal substances as drugs with no recognized medical use aligns with the definition provided in the question.