Final answer:
Prescription records must be kept for a specified number of years as mandated by country-specific laws; in the U.S., the DEA requires a minimum of two years, while state laws may extend this period to five to ten years or more.
Step-by-step explanation:
The duration for keeping prescription records can vary depending on the country and its specific laws. In general, pharmacies are required to keep prescription records for a certain number of years for legal, regulatory, and healthcare practice purposes.
It is essential for pharmacies to comply with these regulations to ensure the accuracy of patient care and to accommodate possible future audits, legal requests, or prescription refill needs. For example, in the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requires prescription records to be kept for two years. However, some state laws or institutional policies may require such records to be maintained for a longer period, which can range from five to ten years or more.