West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

If a central fill pharmacy contracts with carriers to transport controlled substances to a retail pharmacy, who is responsible for reporting in-transit losses?

1. The carrier

2. The central fill pharmacy

3. The local DEA office

4. The retail pharmacy

The correct answer is: The carrier

The correct answer indicates that when a central fill pharmacy contracts with carriers to transport controlled substances, the responsibility for reporting in-transit losses falls on the carrier. This is rooted in the regulations governing the handling of controlled substances, which stipulate that the entity in physical possession of the substances during transit has the obligation to account for any discrepancies that arise. In this context, when controlled substances are lost during transportation, the carrier, as the party responsible for the delivery, is the one required to report these losses. This includes any incidents of theft, loss, or any other type of discrepancy that can occur while the substances are in transit. The rationale is that the carrier bears the duty of care for the controlled substances once they take possession of them and until they are delivered to the designated location. It's important to note that while the central fill pharmacy plays a significant role in the distribution chain, their responsibility primarily lies in the filling and dispensing of prescriptions prior to handing off to the carrier. Similarly, the retail pharmacy's role comes into play after the substances have been delivered, and the local DEA office serves as a regulatory body rather than a direct party in cases of transport and loss reporting.