Can pharmacies in North Dakota use electronic records to maintain controlled substance inventories?

In North Dakota, pharmacies are permitted to use electronic records to maintain controlled substance inventories, provided that these records are accurate and retrievable. This flexibility allows pharmacies to utilize modern technology to streamline their record-keeping processes, contributing to increased efficiency and accuracy in managing controlled substances.

The requirement for accuracy ensures that the records reflect the true state of the inventory, which is critical for compliance with federal and state regulations governing controlled substances. Retrievability is also crucial, as it allows for easy access during inspections or audits by regulatory authorities, ensuring that the pharmacy can quickly provide any necessary information regarding their controlled substances.

By contrast, the other options present limitations that do not align with current regulations. There is no mandate restricting pharmacies to paper records exclusively, nor is there a stipulation that electronic records can only be maintained for non-controlled substances. Furthermore, while having regular backups of electronic data is a good practice for data integrity and security, it is not specifically required by pharmacy regulations regarding controlled substance inventories. Thus, the ability to use electronic records, as highlighted in the correct answer, supports modern pharmacy practices while ensuring compliance with legal standards.