How long must records relating to controlled substances be kept?

How long must records relating to controlled substances be kept?

• A. 1 year
• B. 3 years
• C. 2 years
• D. 5 years

Answer: (C)

Records for controlled substances must be kept for two years. This two-year minimum retention is required by federal regulations to ensure traceability of all transactions involving controlled substances, including receipts, purchases, inventories, prescriptions, and disposals. It provides enough time to review and audit shipments and dispenses if needed. Shorter periods, like one year, don’t meet the federal requirement, while longer periods (three or five years) exceed the minimum and may be required only by state law or organizational policy. For practical purposes, a transaction from 2024 would need records kept through 2026.

Records for controlled substances must be kept for two years. This two-year minimum retention is required by federal regulations to ensure traceability of all transactions involving controlled substances, including receipts, purchases, inventories, prescriptions, and disposals. It provides enough time to review and audit shipments and dispenses if needed. Shorter periods, like one year, don’t meet the federal requirement, while longer periods (three or five years) exceed the minimum and may be required only by state law or organizational policy. For practical purposes, a transaction from 2024 would need records kept through 2026.