What must a pharmacist do if they have an unused order form?

A pharmacist must report an unused order form to the DEA with the necessary details to ensure compliance with federal regulations. This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining accountability for controlled substances. The DEA mandates that all order forms, including unused ones, must be managed properly to prevent misuse or loss, which could lead to illegal activity. Reporting the unused form helps maintain an accurate and complete record, allowing the DEA to track order issuance and usage effectively. This action also reflects a commitment to adhere to legal standards set forth for handling controlled substance orders.

Other options suggest different actions that do not align with regulatory requirements. Destroying the form may seem practical but fails to fulfill the obligation to report, while keeping it for future use does not comply with the unique nature of order forms, which are meant to be used as needed and tracked during their lifecycle. Simply filing it with other paperwork is inadequate since it does not provide the necessary notification to the DEA regarding potentially unaccounted forms. Therefore, reporting the unused order form is the correct approach to ensure regulatory compliance.