What is the required retention period for drug records in veterinary practice?

In veterinary practice, the retention of drug records is crucial for ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and medical guidelines. The correct retention period, which is typically required, is two years. This timeframe allows for adequate access to patient records for any necessary follow-up, audits, and verification of treatments administered.

Maintaining drug records for at least two years also aligns with many state regulations, which necessitate keeping records long enough to fulfill any potential inquiries regarding prescriptions, controlled substances, or changes in treatment protocols. This two-year period represents a balance between the need for record-keeping and the practical considerations of storage and accessibility.

Longer periods, such as three, five, or more years, may be implemented by certain practices or states for specific types of records, but the two-year standard serves as a baseline across many jurisdictions. Understanding this retention period is essential for compliance with legal mandates and supporting best practices in veterinary medicine.