What must a pharmacy do regarding the DEA when closing?

When a pharmacy is closing, it is important to understand the regulations surrounding the handling of controlled substances, which includes the management of DEA 222 forms. When a pharmacy closes, it is required to return any unused DEA 222 order forms to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These forms are specifically used for ordering Schedule I and II controlled substances, and since the pharmacy will no longer be operational, it is necessary to return any forms that will no longer be utilized.

The proper procedure for returning these forms helps ensure that all controlled substance transactions are accounted for and that there are no chances for misuse or the potential for the forms to be used improperly in the future. This maintains compliance with federal regulations and aids in preventing diversion of controlled substances.

In contrast, while the pharmacy might have responsibilities to inform the DEA about their closure or transfer of ownership under certain circumstances, these are not the primary immediate actions required specifically when closing, such as the return of unused DEA forms. Thus, returning unused DEA 222 forms is a key responsibility of the pharmacy as it closes its operations.