Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Regarding pharmacy inventories, which statement is TRUE?

1. An exact count of all medications in stock should be measured

2. Inventory records for all drug schedules can be kept together

3. An exact count should be measured for all containers holding more than 1,000 units

4. Drug inventory in automated dispensing cabinets should not be counted as pharmacy stock

The correct answer is: An exact count should be measured for all containers holding more than 1,000 units

The statement regarding pharmacy inventories that is true is that an exact count should be measured for all containers holding more than 1,000 units. This detail is particularly important for controlled substances, as regulatory agencies require an accurate accounting of these medications due to their potential for abuse and regulatory scrutiny. When the quantity of a substance exceeds 1,000 units, the likelihood of loss, theft, or diversion increases, making it essential to maintain precise inventory counts to ensure compliance with legal and professional standards. In contrast, while an exact count of all medications is ideal for maintaining accurate inventory, such a practice may not be feasible or required for all medications, particularly those that are less frequently used or have lower abuse potential. Additionally, while inventory records can often be maintained in a consolidated manner, federal regulations dictate that certain schedules must be tracked distinctly for compliance with the Controlled Substances Act. As for automated dispensing cabinets, they often require that their contents be managed separately from the main pharmacy stock, so this statement does not hold true within the context of inventory management.