What must a pharmacy do if permanently closing or discontinuing supplying controlled substances?

What must a pharmacy do if permanently closing or discontinuing supplying controlled substances?

• A. Return Certificate of Registration and any unused official order forms (DEA Form 222) to the local DEA Registration Specialist
• B. Destroy all records related to controlled substances
• C. Notify patients of closure
• D. Continue inventory until the end of the month

Answer: (B)

When a pharmacy permanently closes or stops supplying controlled substances, the authority that oversees this activity must be formally terminated. The appropriate action is to return the Certificate of Registration and any unused official order forms (DEA Form 222) to the local DEA Registration Specialist. This step stops the legal ability to order or dispense controlled substances under that registration and signals the end of the pharmacy’s role in handling these substances. Destroying all records is not correct because controlled substances records must be retained for the legally required retention period, even after closure. Other steps like notifying patients aren’t required by the DEA for closure, and continuing inventory after deciding to close doesn’t align with proper shutdown procedures. In practice, you’d also ensure remaining controlled substances are transferred to another registered entity or disposed of per approved methods, with proper documentation, while maintaining the required records for the mandated time.

When a pharmacy permanently closes or stops supplying controlled substances, the authority that oversees this activity must be formally terminated. The appropriate action is to return the Certificate of Registration and any unused official order forms (DEA Form 222) to the local DEA Registration Specialist. This step stops the legal ability to order or dispense controlled substances under that registration and signals the end of the pharmacy’s role in handling these substances. Destroying all records is not correct because controlled substances records must be retained for the legally required retention period, even after closure. Other steps like notifying patients aren’t required by the DEA for closure, and continuing inventory after deciding to close doesn’t align with proper shutdown procedures. In practice, you’d also ensure remaining controlled substances are transferred to another registered entity or disposed of per approved methods, with proper documentation, while maintaining the required records for the mandated time.