When must DEA form 222 be kept on file?

DEA form 222 must be kept on file for 2 years from the date of the last order recorded on the form. This regulation is established to ensure that there is a proper accounting of controlled substances throughout the supply chain, allowing for audits and compliance checks by regulatory agencies.

The requirement to retain these records for 2 years provides a balance between accountability of the pharmacy and the need for efficient recordkeeping. This time frame allows enough time for any discrepancies or audits to occur, ensuring that the pharmacy can account for every item ordered, received, and used.

Keeping these forms longer than necessary can lead to unnecessary clutter and potential confusion in recordkeeping, while retaining them for a shorter period could jeopardize compliance with federal regulations and the integrity of inventory tracking. Therefore, the specific 2-year retention rule supports both legal compliance and operational efficiency.