When must long-term care pharmacies establish and supervise drug storage and distribution policies?

Long-term care pharmacies must establish and supervise drug storage and distribution policies when they are the primary provider or contracted consultant pharmacist for a facility. This requirement ensures that medications are managed properly and safely, as these pharmacists play a critical role in overseeing the medication use process in long-term care settings. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices, which include maintaining appropriate storage conditions and distribution procedures for medications.

By having these established policies in place, the pharmacy can effectively monitor medication management, prevent medication errors, and promote the overall health and safety of patients in long-term care facilities. This responsibility is particularly crucial due to the vulnerability of the patient population in such environments, where many residents may have complex health needs and are taking multiple medications.

In contrast, the other options do not represent the comprehensive responsibilities outlined for long-term care pharmacies. They may not encompass the full scope of the pharmacist's duty to ensure safety and compliance in medication management.