During a routine inventory of controlled substances, you discover a minor discrepancy. What should you do?

• A. Follow your pharmacy's procedures
• B. Notify the supervisor and document the discrepancy
• C. Ignore the discrepancy
• D. Report to law enforcement

Answer: (A)

Handling discrepancies in controlled-substance inventory relies on following established procedures. These procedures are designed to protect patient safety, ensure accurate records, and prevent diversion by providing a consistent, auditable response when something doesn’t add up. When a minor discrepancy is found, the proper action is to adhere to the pharmacy’s documented process, which typically includes recounting the affected inventory, documenting details (drug name, strength, quantity, lot/expiration where relevant), reviewing recent transactions to locate the source, and notifying the supervisor or designated compliance lead as required. This approach preserves the chain of custody, prompts a formal investigation or reconciliation, and ensures any necessary reporting or corrective steps are taken in a compliant manner.

Choosing to ignore the discrepancy or acting outside the procedures can bypass essential controls and create regulatory or safety risks. In many settings, reporting to law enforcement is only appropriate after the internal policy dictates or after a confirmed loss or theft, not as an initial step. By following the established procedures, you align with regulatory expectations and your organization’s risk management framework, while also guiding you through the correct sequence of actions so the issue is resolved properly.