Which statement is accurate regarding contract pharmacies?

The accurate statement regarding contract pharmacies in the context of the 340B Program is that registration can occur without a contract. This means that a covered entity can be registered with the 340B Program even if it has not yet established a contract with a pharmacy.

In practice, this allows covered entities to initially set up their participation in the program without being immediately bound to specific agreements with pharmacies. This flexibility can be especially helpful for entities seeking to explore their options for maximizing savings and access to medications while evaluating potential partners for contract pharmacy arrangements.

The other options provide statements that do not accurately reflect the requirements or nature of the contract pharmacy arrangements in the 340B Program framework. For instance, the claim about needing a contract before purchasing is particularly relevant because while having a contract is critical for compliance and operational integrity, registration itself does not require a pre-existing contract. Thus, the understanding of registration and contract requirements is key in interpreting the operational aspects of the 340B Program.