CPhT Inventory Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pharmacy technician notices a medication listed on the FDA's drug shortage database. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Automatically substitute a therapeutic alternative without consulting the pharmacist
- Notify the pharmacist so they can contact prescribers and explore alternatives (Correct answer)
- Stop dispensing the medication immediately
- Order a 6-month supply to prevent future shortages
Correct answer: Notify the pharmacist so they can contact prescribers and explore alternatives
Drug shortage management requires pharmacist oversight to communicate with prescribers and coordinate therapeutic alternatives.
Question 2: Which of the following is TRUE about a pharmacy's perpetual inventory system for controlled substances?
- It is updated only at month-end
- It tracks every addition and subtraction to provide a running balance (Correct answer)
- It is required only for Schedule V substances
- It replaces the need for biennial inventories
Correct answer: It tracks every addition and subtraction to provide a running balance
A perpetual inventory system records each transaction in real time, maintaining a continuous running balance of controlled substances.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of conducting a pharmacy's biennial inventory of controlled substances?
- Verify insurance billing accuracy
- Comply with DEA requirements to account for all controlled substances on hand (Correct answer)
- Identify expired medications for destruction
- Determine reorder quantities for the next year
Correct answer: Comply with DEA requirements to account for all controlled substances on hand
DEA regulations require a complete physical inventory of all controlled substances at least every two years.
Question 4: A pharmacy receives an invoice for 100 tablets of Drug X but the packing slip inside the box shows 90 tablets. What should the technician do?
- Accept the shipment and adjust the invoice internally
- Document the discrepancy and notify the pharmacist before accepting (Correct answer)
- Return the entire order to the wholesaler
- Recount at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Document the discrepancy and notify the pharmacist before accepting
Receiving discrepancies must be documented immediately and reviewed by the pharmacist before the shipment is accepted into inventory.
Question 5: Which of the following medications typically requires storage in a freezer (-25°C to -10°C)?
- Amoxicillin suspension
- Insulin glargine (unopened)
- Varicella vaccine (Correct answer)
- Nitroglycerin tablets
Correct answer: Varicella vaccine
The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine requires frozen storage between -25°C and -10°C to maintain potency.
Question 6: A pharmacy's turnover rate for a product is very low. What does this MOST likely indicate?
- The product is frequently backordered
- The product is overstocked or has low demand (Correct answer)
- The product has a short expiration date
- The product is on the formulary preferred list
Correct answer: The product is overstocked or has low demand
Low turnover means the product sits on the shelf longer, suggesting it is overstocked relative to demand.
Question 7: Which form must accompany the transfer of Schedule II controlled substances between DEA registrants?
- DEA Form 222 or CSOS electronic equivalent (Correct answer)
- DEA Form 106
- DEA Form 41
- FDA MedWatch Form 3500
Correct answer: DEA Form 222 or CSOS electronic equivalent
DEA Form 222 (or its electronic equivalent, CSOS) is required for all Schedule II transfers between DEA-registered entities.
CPhT Inventory Management 3
A pharmacy technician notices a medication listed on the FDA's drug shortage database.
What is the most appropriate next step?