PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Patient Safety and Quality AssuranceHard
A pharmacy technician is assisting with the annual inventory count for controlled substances. They discover a discrepancy where the physical count of a Schedule II medication (e.g., oxycodone) does not match the perpetual inventory record. What is the MOST appropriate next action?
- APlace a 'Do Not Use' tag on the medication and set it aside.
- BAdjust the perpetual inventory record to match the physical count immediately.
- CConduct a re-count of the medication and review dispensing records for reconciliation.
- DNotify the local law enforcement agency of the discrepancy.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Conduct a re-count of the medication and review dispensing records for reconciliation.
A discrepancy in controlled substance inventory, especially Schedule II, requires immediate and thorough investigation. The first step is to re-count and meticulously reconcile records (dispensing, receiving, returns) to identify the source of the discrepancy before reporting to authorities, if necessary.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While securing the medication is important, the immediate priority is investigation and reconciliation, not just tagging and setting aside.
- B. Adjusting records without investigation is inappropriate and could mask theft or significant errors.
- D. Reporting to law enforcement is required if a significant loss is confirmed after investigation, but not as the immediate first step upon discovering a potential discrepancy.
Controlled Substance Discrepancy Protocol
A controlled substance discrepancy requires immediate re-counting, thorough reconciliation of all related records, and investigation to determine the cause before reporting to regulatory authorities if a significant loss is confirmed.
- Applies to all controlled substance schedules.
- Prioritizes investigation and reconciliation.
- Reporting to DEA/state boards is required for significant losses.
Memory trick: Count, reconcile, investigate, then report if loss is great.