Final answer:
Controlled substances must be inventoried every two years according to DEA regulations, with best practices suggesting more frequent inventories to ensure compliance and discrepancy detection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Controlled substances in a drug cabinet must be inventoried at least every two years, as required by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations.
Controlled substances are drugs that have a potential for abuse and dependency, both physical and psychological. Due to their nature, strict regulatory requirements are placed on their storage, dispensing, and record-keeping. The DEA mandates that an accurate inventory of controlled substances be maintained and a complete inventory count must occur every two years. This inventory must be exact for substances listed in schedules I and II and estimated for schedules III, IV, and V unless the container holds more than 1,000 tablets or capsules, in which case an exact count is also required.
In addition to the biennial inventory, many institutions implement more frequent counting to ensure compliance and to identify any potential discrepancies as soon as possible. Best practices often involve counting on a daily or per-shift basis, especially in high-risk areas such as hospitals or clinics where controlled substances are frequently accessed.