A pharmacy is subject to an onsite inspection or investigation by the board of pharmacy without notice.

• A. With notice
• B. Without notice
• C. Only upon complaint
• D. Announced after the inspection

Answer: (B)

Unannounced on-site inspections are a common enforcement tool used by a board of pharmacy to verify ongoing compliance and protect public health. If notice were given, a facility could alter practices or conceal issues, making it harder to assess how things run in normal operation. By inspecting without prior notice, the board can observe day-to-day procedures, verify storage, dispensing, compounding practices, and record-keeping as they actually occur, and promptly identify safety or compliance risks. Inspectors must have proper authority and credentials, and they typically review only what’s necessary to determine compliance, with safeguards for privacy and confidentiality where appropriate. This is why the idea that such inspections can occur without notice is the most accurate reflection of regulatory practice.