THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA) AND STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES require pharmacies to demonstrate control and security over their controlled- substances inventory, document it accurately, and identify inventory movement or diversion in a timely and retrievable manner. Significant losses of controlled substances must be reported to the DEA, and the agency states that “the loss of a small quantity of controlled substances, repeated over a period of time, may indicate a significant problem.” Always err on the side of caution: If there is a question as to whether a loss is significant, report it to the DEA.With the appropriate technology and systems, maintaining and demonstrating your facility’s control over such substances should be a manageable process.
