Final answer:
To maintain accurate records of drugs dispensed, it's essential to employ strict quality control, precision in measurement, and diligent record-keeping. The use of technology and adherence to regulatory guidelines, such as those set by the FDA, are also crucial in tracking and ensuring the correct dispensation of medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to maintain an accurate record of drugs on hand and those dispensed involves a combination of rigorous quality control, meticulous record-keeping, and the use of technology to assist in tracking and monitoring. In the context of a pharmaceutical company, verifying the accuracy and precision of drug dispensing machines is vital.
A quality control chemist may use statistical methods to assess this by filling bottles with a target volume and then measuring the actual volume dispensed. If a machine dispenses the correct volume consistently (within small margins of error), it is deemed both accurate and precise, as exemplified by dispenser #3 in an example where the volumes are consistently within 0.1 mL of the target volume and differ from each other by no more than 0.2 mL.
On the other hand, one might find a machine to be accurate but not precise, or precise but not accurate, requiring calibration or maintenance to correct the issue.
Pharmacies and healthcare facilities might employ systems like Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) to ensure accurate dispensing to patients, especially for critical medications like those for TB treatment. This process is supervised and can greatly reduce the errors related to self-administration of medication.
Ultimately, maintaining accurate records is not only about technology but also about adopting best practices and standards, as suggested by regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and ensuring ongoing training and vigilance among medical and pharmaceutical personnel.