How long must patient medication profiles be kept in a retrievable form?

In New York, patient medication profiles must be maintained in a retrievable form for a minimum of five years from the date of the last entry in the profile. This regulation is important for several reasons, including ensuring continuity of care, allowing healthcare providers to review past medications for potential interactions or therapy continuity, and providing a legal record of medications dispensed in case of audits or patient inquiries.

Maintaining patient medication profiles for five years strikes a balance between practicality and the necessity of having a sufficient historical record. A shorter retention period may not sufficiently inform care providers in follow-up visits, while a longer period could impose undue burdens on pharmacy operations in terms of record-keeping.

This requirement aligns with state regulations regarding the documentation and retention of pharmaceutical records, which emphasize patient safety and legal accountability.