In North Carolina, who is responsible for maintaining prescription records?

The correct response is that the pharmacist on duty holds the responsibility for maintaining prescription records in North Carolina. This obligation arises from the role of the pharmacist as the licensed professional responsible for ensuring that all prescriptions are managed correctly and in compliance with state regulations.

Pharmacists are trained to understand the importance of accurate record-keeping, which is crucial not just for legal compliance, but also for ensuring patient safety and continuity of care. They must verify the information, manage prescriptions through their lifecycle, and maintain confidentiality as mandated by state and federal laws. This central role highlights the pharmacist's accountability in managing the pharmacy's operations, including the integrity of prescription records.

Other options, while relevant to the operational aspects of a pharmacy, do not assign the specific responsibility of record maintenance to the recognized licensed professional who holds the necessary training and authority to do so. The pharmacy owner may have overarching responsibility for the pharmacy's compliance with laws, but it is the pharmacist on duty who directly handles and oversees the records on a daily basis. Individual pharmacy staff members might assist in the process, but they do not bear the ultimate responsibility. The Board of Pharmacy regulates and oversees pharmacy practice, but it does not manage the day-to-day record-keeping duties.