South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

What should a pharmacist do if there is a discrepancy during an inventory check?

1. Immediately report it to the DEA

2. File a report with the DHEC after verification

3. Adjust inventory records to match

4. Ignore minor discrepancies

The correct answer is: File a report with the DHEC after verification

In the event of a discrepancy during an inventory check, the appropriate action for a pharmacist is to file a report with the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) after verifying the discrepancy. This step ensures that a formal record is kept of the discrepancy and any potential issues related to the handling of controlled substances are addressed properly. By first verifying the discrepancy, the pharmacist ensures that the issue is legitimate and not a clerical error or miscount, which is essential for maintaining accurate and responsible inventory management. Once verified, reporting to DHEC aligns with regulatory requirements for record-keeping and accountability in pharmacy practice. This helps to maintain compliance with state laws and regulations concerning controlled substances. The act of adjusting inventory records to match a suspected count (rather than investigating) would compromise integrity and could lead to legal issues, while ignoring discrepancies may result in serious implications, including potential medication misuse or regulatory penalties. Thus, filing a report after verification is not only a best practice but also a necessary step to ensure compliance and accountability in a pharmacy setting.