Final answer:
Pharmacies are permitted to hire outside firms to handle their controlled substances, as long as they comply with DEA regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a pharmacy may not hire an outside firm to inventory, package, and arrange for the transfer of its controlled substances to another pharmacy, the original supplier, or the original manufacturer is false. Pharmacies can indeed engage third-party companies to manage their inventories of controlled substances, provided that they adhere to strict regulations set forth by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These regulations are in place to prevent diversion and ensure that controlled substances are managed responsibly throughout the supply chain.