Which classification of drugs may not be returned to stock in an institution?

In the context of institutional pharmacy practice, controlled substances are categorized based on their potential for abuse and are subject to varying levels of regulation regarding their storage, dispensing, and return to stock. The classification that typically cannot be returned to stock in an institution is Schedule II controlled substances (CII).

The reason for this restriction lies in the high potential for abuse associated with CIIs, which include drugs like oxycodone, morphine, and methadone. Once a CII medication has been dispensed, it is considered to have been in the possession of the patient, and due to the potential for misuse and the strict regulations surrounding these drugs, they cannot be returned to inventory under normal circumstances. This policy helps prevent diversion and ensures that these potent medications are carefully accounted for.

In contrast, other schedules such as CIII (Schedule III), CIV (Schedule IV), and CI (Schedule I) have different regulations surrounding returns. For instance, while Schedule III and IV drugs are still closely regulated, there are often specific protocols in place that allow for their return to stock under certain conditions. Meanwhile, Schedule I drugs cannot be legally dispensed, making them irrelevant in this context.

Therefore, the classification of drugs that may not be returned to stock