Final answer:
When a disabled pharmacist returns to work, a comprehensive inventory of controlled substances must be conducted. It's crucial for record accuracy, regulatory compliance, and patient safety, as highlighted by an incident involving drug diversion and resulting in patient harm.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a disabled pharmacist in charge returns to work, it is necessary for both the returning pharmacist and the temporary pharmacist in charge to conduct a comprehensive inventory of controlled substances. This procedure is crucial for several reasons: to ensure accurate record-keeping, to account for all controlled substances, and to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. The importance of such measures is highlighted by the clinical scenario provided, where a healthcare worker was involved in drug diversion, illustrating the risks of inadequate control and tracking of narcotics, which unfortunately led to patients contracting HIV. An inventory of this nature is not only a matter of professional practice but also of patient safety and public health.