Retail Pharmacy Board of Pharmacy Inspection Preparation Walk

Pre-state board of pharmacy inspection walk for retail pharmacies covering storage compliance, labeling standards, controlled substance log currency, technician ratio documentation, and related readiness checks.

Inspection Details

• Pharmacy location identified
  Record the store name, address, and pharmacy identifier.
• Inspection date and time recorded
  Capture the date and time the pre-inspection walk was completed.
• Inspector or reviewer name recorded
  Enter the name and title of the pharmacist-in-charge, manager, or compliance reviewer.
• Reference SOP or inspection checklist used
  Document the internal SOP, checklist, or reference document used during the walk.

Licensure, Posting, and Required Documentation

• Pharmacy license and permits are current and posted as required
  Confirm the pharmacy license, controlled substance registration, and any required permits are valid and displayed or available per state requirements.
• Pharmacist-in-charge documentation is current
  Verify the PIC designation, contact information, and any required board filings are current.
• Required notices and consumer postings are visible
  Check that required patient notices, complaint information, and other state-mandated postings are visible to the public where applicable.
• Recent policy or procedure updates are available to staff
  Confirm staff can access current SOPs for dispensing, storage, controlled substances, and error reporting.

Medication Storage and Environmental Controls

• All medications stored in designated, secure areas
  Verify medications are stored in approved areas with restricted access and no unsecured product left in open workspaces.
• Look-alike / sound-alike products are separated or clearly differentiated
  Check for physical separation, shelf tags, or other controls to reduce selection errors.
• Expired, damaged, or quarantined stock is segregated
  Confirm expired, recalled, damaged, or return-to-stock items are clearly identified and kept separate from active inventory.
• Temperature-sensitive storage is within acceptable range
  Record the current refrigerator or room temperature for medication storage and verify it is within the acceptable range per policy.
• Temperature logs are current and complete
  Verify temperature monitoring logs are up to date, reviewed, and retained according to policy.

Labeling and Dispensing Accuracy

• Prescription labels include required patient and prescription elements
  Verify labels contain the required patient name, drug name, directions, quantity, prescriber information, and other state-required elements.
• Auxiliary labels and caution statements are applied when required
  Confirm auxiliary labels are used for storage, administration, and safety warnings where applicable.
• Final verification process is documented or observable
  Check that a pharmacist final check or equivalent verification step is performed before release.
• Dispensing errors or near misses are documented and reviewed
  Confirm recent incidents, if any, are logged, reviewed, and have documented corrective actions.
• Patient counseling opportunities are documented when required
  Verify counseling documentation or workflow prompts are in place for prescriptions requiring pharmacist counseling.

Controlled Substance Security and Logs

• Controlled substances stored in a secure, restricted-access area
  Confirm controlled substances are stored in locked or otherwise secured storage with access limited to authorized personnel.
• Controlled substance perpetual inventory or log is current
  Verify the controlled substance log, perpetual inventory, or other required record is current and reconciled.
• Controlled substance discrepancies are documented and resolved
  Check that any count variances, losses, or unexplained discrepancies have been documented and escalated per policy.
• Access logs or key control records are current
  Verify access logs, key assignments, or lock control records are maintained where required.
• Controlled substance ordering and receiving records are available
  Confirm invoices, receiving records, and ordering documentation are retained and available for review.

Staffing, Technician Ratio, and Training Documentation

• Technician-to-pharmacist ratio documentation is current
  Verify staffing records or schedules support compliance with the applicable state technician ratio requirement.
• Technician licenses or registrations are current
  Confirm technician credentials are current and available for inspection where required.
• Staff training records are current for required topics
  Check that training records include dispensing workflow, controlled substances, privacy, and safety topics required by policy or regulation.