Question

question 34

a pharmacy technician is reviewing inventory and notices several bottles of a medication are past their expiration date. which of the following actions should the technician take?

• place the expired medications in a separate bin for future discounting.
• remove the expired medications from inventory and follow the pharmacys disposal protocol.
• continue dispensing the medications until the next inventory cycle.
• return the expired medications to the shelf and notify the supplier.

Explanation:

Identify the core inventory issue

Using the Inventory Management knowledge point

When a pharmacy technician identifies expired medications on the shelf, they must immediately prevent these products from being dispensed to patients to ensure medication safety and efficacy.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "Place the expired medications in a separate bin for future discounting." Expired medications cannot be sold or discounted; they must be discarded or returned.
• Option 2: "Remove the expired medications from inventory and follow the pharmacy's disposal protocol." This is the standard, safe, and legally compliant procedure.
• Option 3: "Continue dispensing the medications until the next inventory cycle." Dispensing expired medications is illegal and dangerous.
• Option 4: "Return the expired medications to the shelf and notify the supplier." Expired items must never remain on active dispensing shelves.

Answer:

• (A) Place the expired medications in a separate bin for future discounting.
• (B) Remove the expired medications from inventory and follow the pharmacy's disposal protocol. (Correct answer)
• (C) Continue dispensing the medications until the next inventory cycle.
• (D) Return the expired medications to the shelf and notify the supplier.