What action must a pharmacist take if discrepancies in controlled substance totals exceed 5%?

When a pharmacist discovers discrepancies in controlled substance totals that exceed 5%, it is required to report these findings to the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) within 5 days. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of controlled substance inventory and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Reporting such discrepancies helps the BOP assess the situation and take appropriate actions to prevent misuse or diversion of controlled substances, thereby promoting public safety.

In this context, informing the nursing staff, notifying the DEA, and documenting the findings, while important, do not fulfill the specific regulatory requirement to report such discrepancies to the BOP within the designated time frame. Each of those actions may be part of a broader response to the issue, but they do not replace the obligation to notify the BOP as mandated.