Pharmacy Operations, Recordkeeping, Inspections, and Disciplinary Processes
Records
Keep prescription and dispensing records complete and retrievable: the original prescription or electronic record, refill history, identity of the dispensing pharmacist, and counseling documentation. Federal controlled substance records must be kept two years and be readily retrievable; Illinois generally expects a longer retention period for prescription records, so follow the longer state rule. Form 222 records, inventories, and PMP submissions belong in the same system.
Inspections
IDFPR inspectors may enter a licensed pharmacy during business hours; DEA investigators routinely inspect controlled substance records. Prepare: licenses posted and current, PIC identified, policies and procedures manual available, temperature logs, controlled substance inventories, and documented security (locked CII storage, alarm, limited keys).
Discipline
Complaints go to IDFPR, which investigates and may file a formal complaint; the Board reviews, and the Director imposes discipline: reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, fines, restitution, and CE orders. Many cases resolve by consent order. Reportable events - felony convictions, discipline in another state, certain impairments - must be reported to IDFPR.
Traps
Assuming quiet years mean no compliance obligations; destroying records too early; failing to notify IDFPR of a PIC or address change; treating a Board recommendation as a final order; ignoring that a technician's misconduct can also implicate the supervising pharmacist.
Rule of thumb
Run the pharmacy as if an inspector arrives tomorrow: licenses current, records retrievable, security documented, and a paper trail for every judgment call.