What must a pharmacy maintain if they dispense controlled substances?

A pharmacy dispensing controlled substances is required to maintain an accurate inventory of those substances as part of compliance with state and federal regulations. This inventory is crucial for tracking the receipt, dispensing, and current stock of controlled substances to prevent misuse, loss, or diversion.

Maintaining an accurate inventory includes regularly scheduled counts and records of controlled substances to ensure that the amounts align with what has been ordered and dispensed. This practice is essential for maintaining proper accountability and adhering to regulatory standards.

While retaining all prescriptions filled within the last five years and keeping logs of narcotic prescriptions may also be important for certain operational and legal reasons, the specific requirement to maintain an accurate inventory directly relates to the necessity of oversight and documentation of controlled substances specifically.

Hence, the focus on the accurate inventory aligns with the broader expectations of pharmacies involved in the handling of controlled substances, ensuring that their practices meet necessary legal and professional standards.