How should inventories and prescriptions for Schedule III-V substances be stored?

The correct answer highlights an important aspect of managing Schedule III–V substances in a pharmacy setting. The requirement that these inventories and prescriptions can either be stored together or separately, as long as they are readily retrievable, reflects the flexible yet responsible approach to inventory management mandated by federal regulations.

For practical purposes, some pharmacies choose to store these substances alongside other medications to streamline access and improve workflow. However, the key distinction is that the pharmacy must ensure that they can quickly locate the records relating to these controlled substances when needed. This could involve maintaining proper record-keeping systems or utilizing electronic systems that facilitate retrieval.

The other options do not align with the regulatory standards. For instance, requiring all substances to be stored separately would impose unnecessary restrictions that could complicate pharmacy operations, while stating that Schedule III-V substances can mix with any inventory would disregard the importance of tracking controlled substances effectively. Keeping a log of changes is generally not a requirement pertaining specifically to how these substances are stored but more about the processes surrounding their management and accountability. Thus, the flexibility with the focus on retrievability forms the basis for the correct answer.