Which items must be included in the initial inventory?

The initial inventory of a pharmacy must include essential details to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This inventory should capture the date of the inventory, the names of all controlled substances present, and the number of dosage units for each substance. This thorough documentation is critical because it provides a comprehensive snapshot of the pharmacy's controlled substances on hand at a specific time, which is crucial for tracking and ensuring accountability in handling these medications.

By capturing this information, the pharmacy can maintain accurate records that not only comply with federal and state laws but also assist in audits and in identifying discrepancies that may arise over time. Thus, including the date, name of substances, and dosage units helps uphold the integrity of controlled substance management within the pharmacy.

The other options lack necessary components. For instance, simply including finished forms or only the number of containers does not provide a complete picture of what is on hand. Furthermore, not requiring dosage units would lead to insufficient tracking of controlled substances, which is vital for regulatory compliance and patient safety.