Which of the following best describes inventory management in a pharmacy?

Inventory management in a pharmacy primarily involves maintaining stock levels of medications. This includes monitoring the quantity of various pharmaceuticals to ensure that they are adequately stocked to meet patient needs without overstocking, which can lead to wasted resources, especially with medications that have expiration dates. Effective inventory management helps prevent stockouts or shortages of essential medications, which is crucial for continuous patient care.

Maintaining accurate inventory records also involves tracking the usage of medications, understanding which items are frequently dispensed, and predicting future needs based on historical data. This ensures that the pharmacy operates efficiently, minimizes costs, and provides quality service to patients. This focus on stock management is vital for compliance with regulations and for ensuring patient safety.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of inventory management within a pharmacy context. For instance, overseeing patient interactions pertains more to patient care and communication rather than inventory control. Conducting experiments on drug efficacy is a research-oriented task that is typically beyond the scope of pharmacy operations, focusing on the investigation of the performance of medications rather than their supply management.