How often should a pharmacy perform inventory audits?

Performing inventory audits regularly—typically every month or as required by law—is crucial for maintaining accurate stock records and ensuring compliance with regulations. Regular audits help identify discrepancies in inventory, allowing for timely resolution of issues such as theft, loss, or misplacement of medications. This practice also aids in managing expired or soon-to-expire products, which is essential in a pharmacy setting to provide safe and effective care to patients.

Adhering to a regular schedule for inventory audits helps pharmacies maintain efficient operations, minimizes financial losses, and ensures that they can respond promptly to any stock shortages or overages. Additionally, certain regulations may stipulate the frequency of these audits, making it necessary for pharmacies to comply in order to avoid potential legal repercussions.