For which medications is maintaining a perpetual inventory required?

Maintaining a perpetual inventory is critical for ensuring the accurate tracking of controlled substances within a pharmacy, particularly in hospital settings. The requirement primarily focuses on C-II medications due to their high potential for abuse and the regulatory scrutiny they are subject to. In hospital pharmacies, the perpetual inventory for C-II substances allows for real-time awareness of stock levels, facilitates accountability, and assists in identifying any discrepancies or potential theft.

While C-III and C-IV medications also have associated regulations, they do not necessitate the same rigorous perpetual inventory oversight as C-II medications do. Other scheduled drugs and all prescription medications might be subject to various inventory practices, but they do not collectively require the same level of constant tracking that C-II medications do in a hospital environment. This distinction is crucial for compliance with the law and for maintaining the integrity of pharmacy operations.