A pharmacist must attach which document to an emergency oral prescription once it's received from the prescriber?

When a pharmacist receives an emergency oral prescription, it is essential to document the transaction properly to comply with regulatory requirements. The correct approach is to attach the written prescription that confirms the emergency dispensing to the oral prescription. This written confirmation serves as a legal record of the prescription, ensuring that the pharmacist is able to provide evidence of the prescription's validity in the event of an audit or regulatory review.

The requirement for a written confirmation is particularly significant for controlled substances, as emergency oral prescriptions do not provide the same level of verification as a written one. Attaching this document also helps to protect both the pharmacist and the patient by maintaining a clear trail for medication dispensing, which is critical in managing controlled medications.

In this context, the other options do not fulfill the necessary requirements. The original prescription from the patient is not required because the pharmacist is acting upon the prescriber’s emergency directive. A letter from the prescriber does not serve the same purpose as the written prescription and may not contain all the information needed to verify the prescription. An inventory of controlled substances, while important for overall stock management and compliance, does not relate specifically to the verification of the oral emergency prescription and cannot substitute for the written documentation.