What is the consequence of not notifying the DEA when performing inventory on a date other than the biennial date?

Notifying the DEA when performing an inventory on a date other than the scheduled biennial date is crucial for maintaining compliance with federal regulations. The DEA mandates that registrants, such as pharmacies, take a physical inventory of all controlled substances at least every two years, and if an inventory is conducted at a different time, the DEA must be informed to ensure transparency and accountability.

Failure to notify the DEA can lead to potential fines and penalties for non-compliance because such actions may be viewed as a violation of regulations designed to prevent misuse and diversion of controlled substances. The DEA requires that all controlled substance inventories be accurately recorded and accounted for, and any deviation from standard practices without proper notification could lead to scrutiny and legal repercussions.

In contrast, there may not be immediate consequences such as revocation of a pharmacy license solely for this reason; enforcement actions typically consider a range of compliance issues. Additionally, while inventory records must be maintained accurately and cannot simply be discarded, the focus here is compliance with DEA regulations, which emphasizes the importance of notifying the agency regarding inventory timing.