According to federal law, what must the pharmacy have an exact count of?

Federal law requires pharmacies to have an exact count of all Schedule II medications. This requirement is in place due to the high potential for abuse and addiction associated with these substances. Schedule II drugs, such as opioids and certain stimulants, are closely monitored by regulatory agencies to prevent diversion and misuse. As a result, pharmacies must maintain precise inventories of these medications to ensure compliance with legal standards and to ensure patient safety.

In contrast, while pharmacies are also required to keep accurate records for Schedule III, IV, and V medications, the regulations allow for a more general estimate for these schedules, rather than an exact count. Over-the-counter medications do not fall under the same stringent requirements as controlled substances, which further delineates the focus on Schedule II medications—the critical scope of this regulation.