Final answer:
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires pharmacies to retain records for a minimum of 10 years for accountability, patient safety, and proper documentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires pharmacies to retain records for a minimum of 10 years. This duration ensures that there is a comprehensive record of medication and treatment history for patients, which can be important for future medical decisions and legal purposes.
This requirement is in place to ensure accountability, patient safety, and proper documentation in healthcare settings. It allows healthcare providers to access accurate information when needed and can be helpful in case of any medication-related issues or potential legal disputes.
By retaining these records, pharmacies can also contribute to research and analysis, providing valuable insights into medication usage, trends, and outcomes.