CASE STUDY
APRI Fertility Pharmacy
Transforming Controlled Substance Management for DEA Compliance

With over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, Bijan Sabouri knows the ins and outs of the profession. However, controlled substance management has remained a persistent headache, especially in California, where strict 90-day CII audits add another layer of complexity. The administrative burden was so overwhelming at times that Bijan felt more like an accountant than a pharmacist.
Frustrated with the time and energy spent on DEA compliance, Bijan took a chance with C2 Keep, a fully integrated controlled substance inventory management and compliance solution. This decision was a game-changer. C2 Keep streamlined operations, gave his pharmacies full control over their inventories, and provided peace of mind during DEA audits. Most importantly, the platform evolves with Bijan by incorporating his feedback to deliver a compliance solution tailored to his needs.
Owner Profile
Name
Pharmacist Experience
Number of Pharmacies Associated With
Primary Location
”Something that saves time and makes you feel like it is covering you as far as your legal requirements in the pharmacy is really why C2 Keep has spoken to us.
Bijan SabouriPIC | Apri Fertility Pharmacy
Challenge
Time-Saver
Support
Audit Preparedness
Reflection
Accountant or Pharmacist?
Controlled Substance Management is a Drag
For Bijan, controlled substance management was always a burden. The workflows were not only time-consuming and tedious, but also required precision, leaving plenty of room for human error. Managing these inventories took up so much of his time that it often felt like his primary job was assembling reports rather than caring for patients. Reflecting on the experience, Bijan remarked, “Balancing that out made you feel more like an accountant than a pharmacist.”
Beyond the time commitment, controlled substance management was a constant source of stress. With inventory tracking dependent on others and no real-time visibility, Bijan was left guessing about the accuracy of his records. This lack of clarity only heightened his anxiety about DEA compliance, as providing accurate information on demand was already a challenge. It became clear that something needed to change, but he just wasn’t sure where to begin.
Taking a Chance
Bijan Reaches Out to C2 Keep
Bijan first discovered C2 Keep through Liberty Software, a pharmacy management system that integrates with the platform. The clean, modern design of C2 Keep’s logo and interface immediately caught his attention, prompting him to learn more. After researching the solution and scheduling a demo with CEO Roland Achenjang, Bijan felt confident that C2 Keep could relieve the burden of controlled substance management. Reflecting on his first impression, Bijan shared, “C2 Keep was the first one I saw that felt like a well-thought-out and well-versed platform.”
It wasn’t long before Bijan began onboarding his pharmacies through a smooth and straightforward process. From the start, he and his team recognized C2 Keep’s potential to transform their controlled substance management workflows.
The Power of Integration
C2 Keep Generates DEA Compliance Reports in Just a Few Clicks
One of the most significant early impacts of C2 Keep was its ability to generate DEA compliance reports in seconds. By integrating seamlessly with Bijan’s pharmacy management systems and wholesalers, C2 Keep automatically imports transaction and dispensing data, compiling it into properly formatted DEA compliance reports. This automation is especially valuable for California’s mandatory 90-day CII reporting requirements. Instead of manually recording previous CII data, Bijan simply performs a quick inventory count, verifies that everything aligns, and moves on with his day. Summarizing the benefits, Bijan explains, “We already see how much we bought, we can tell from the pharmacy software that this is how much we dispensed, we can tell the number, and we’re already at the final step.”
Audit Preparedness
C2 Keep Redefines the Auditing Experience
Automating this process not only streamlines reporting but also reduces the stress of unexpected DEA compliance audits. What was once a nerve-wracking experience has become an opportunity for Bijan to showcase his pharmacies’ commitment to compliance with C2 Keep. “It shows them that you are already a leg and head above the pharmacies that aren’t doing that,” Bijan notes. This proactive approach demonstrates to the DEA that Bijan and his staff take controlled substance management seriously, investing in specialized software to ensure compliance and readiness.
Seamless Control and Transparency
Manage Inventory Anywhere at Any Time
Another feature of C2 Keep that Bijan values is the transparency it provides for controlled substance management. “When we first started with C2 Keep, it was really nice to see the flow of prescriptions come in and see what their status was,” Bijan explains. He also appreciates the ability to log into C2 Keep remotely, allowing him to monitor and manage inventory even when he’s away from the pharmacy. This remote access keeps him up to date and in control, no matter where he is.
C2 Keep also gives Bijan greater control over who can access his inventory. Limiting access to himself and his pharmacy managers provides peace of mind, knowing that sensitive information and controlled substances are secure. It also means that Bijan and his managers can handle DEA compliance tasks independently without relying on others. At the same time, if he needs to grant access to additional team members, C2 Keep makes the process simple. The platform is easy to learn, reducing the need for extensive training. As Bijan puts it, “You don’t really need to rely on anyone else to handle it, but at the same time, if you do, there’s not a lot of overexplaining that you need to do.”
From Idea to Reality
C2 Keep Implements Bijan's Feedback Into the Product
For Bijan, the best part about working with C2 Keep is the actionable changes they make based on customer feedback. As an early adopter, he has played a key role in shaping the platform, with several of his suggestions being implemented for better controlled substance management. One notable example is his idea to streamline C2 Keep’s controlled substance checking feature. Within months of sharing his idea, C2 Keep introduced a new function that allows users to reconcile all controlled substances without issues at the click of a button.
C2 Keep has also adopted other ideas from Bijan, including split-fill capabilities and time adjustments for deliveries and dispensing. Reflecting on his experience, Bijan shares, “The team is so hands-on with trying to incorporate ideas from their customers.” This collaborative approach reassures him that C2 Keep is not only responsive but also committed to continuous improvement. For Bijan, it is clear that C2 Keep values transparency and genuinely cares about enhancing the product to meet the DEA compliance needs of its customers.
Conclusion
At a glance, the most tangible benefit of C2 Keep is the time it saves Bijan, both on a daily basis and in the long run. This time-saving aspect is especially valuable in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment like retail pharmacy. As Bijan puts it, “Something that saves time and makes you feel like it is covering you as far as your legal requirements in the pharmacy is really why C2 Keep has spoken to us.”
On a deeper level, C2 Keep’s true value comes from the confidence and peace of mind it provides. With controlled substance management and DEA compliance no longer a constant burden, Bijan and his team can reconnect with the reason they became pharmacists in the first place. This allows them to focus more on patient care and ensure that the communities they serve remain happy and healthy. Summing up the overall impact of C2 Keep, Bijan simply states, “It really has been a godsend for all of our pharmacies.”
Why Choose C2 Keep?
At C2 Keep, our mission is simple: to empower pharmacies like yours with a smarter, more efficient solution to controlled substance management. Designed with pharmacy expertise at its core, C2 Keep delivers the tools you need to stay compliant, secure, and in control. Here’s why over 1,500 pharmacists and staff, including Bijan and his team, trust C2 Keep to transform their workflows:
- Transformative Time Savings
- Real-Time Inventory Insights
- Enhanced Accountability and Security
- Streamlined Compliance Reporting
- Effortless Document Management
- Scalable Solutions for Every Pharmacy