What must a pharmacist do regarding a prescription that is identified as forgery?

In the case of a prescription identified as forgery, the appropriate action is to keep it safe for a minimum of 30 days. This is important for a few reasons. First, maintaining the prescription allows for a proper investigation into the forgery, which can assist local authorities in determining the source and circumstances surrounding the fraudulent activity. Additionally, having the forged prescription available for review can help protect the pharmacist and the pharmacy from potential legal issues or liability.

Keeping the prescription safe also aligns with regulatory requirements, which may dictate how long a pharmacy must retain documentation related to suspicious or potentially fraudulent prescriptions. By adhering to these protocols, the pharmacist ensures compliance with legal standards while also safeguarding patient safety and upholding the integrity of the pharmacy practice.

Sending the prescription back to the originating pharmacy or disposing of it immediately would obstruct any investigation that might be necessary. Similarly, while contacting local authorities is an important step, the retention of the prescription is a necessary precursor that aids in the evidence-gathering process for law enforcement. Thus, keeping the prescription for a minimum of 30 days not only preserves potential evidence but also conforms to best practices in pharmacy law.