Who can hospitals sell prescription drugs from their inpatient inventory to?

In the context of hospital pharmacy practice, hospitals can sell prescription drugs from their inpatient inventory to both patients who are treated in the emergency room (ER) and those who have been discharged. This option reflects the regulations that permit hospitals to offer medications to patients who have received treatment, which includes both ongoing care and post-discharge needs.

When patients are seen in the ER, they may require medications that are part of the hospital's inventory either to manage their treatment effectively during their visit or upon discharge. Similarly, discharged patients often leave the hospital with prescriptions that necessitate access to medications previously available only while they were admitted.

Hospitals have policies in place that govern the dispensing of medications, ensuring that appropriate records are maintained and that prescribing practices align with both state and federal regulations. This operational flexibility allows healthcare providers to accommodate patient needs seamlessly, whether they are still under care or transitioning home after treatment.

Thus, the choice that indicates both ER patients and discharged patients as eligible recipients aligns with the objectives of providing comprehensive healthcare and medication management.