How long must 222 forms be kept on record?

The correct duration for keeping 222 forms on record is two years. This is established by federal regulations that govern controlled substances, specifically the DEA regulations. The two-year retention period ensures that pharmacies, practitioners, and other registrants maintain accessibility to these important documents for audits and review by regulatory authorities.

Keeping these records for the specified duration allows for compliance with regulatory inspections and necessary tracking of controlled substances from the point of ordering to dispensing. Maintaining accurate records is essential for preventing misuse and diversion of controlled substances, and the two-year timeframe aligns with many other record-keeping requirements in pharmacy practice, ensuring a consistent and manageable record retention policy.

In terms of other possible options, one year is generally insufficient for tracking the flow of controlled substances and may lead to gaps in accountability. Three and four years exceed the regulatory requirements, causing unnecessary burden on pharmacists and their record-keeping practices.