What is a general requirement to safeguard stored controlled substances?

• A. They must be stored in a locked cabinet in a secure area
• B. They must be stored in an unlocked cabinet
• C. They can be stored with general stock
• D. They must be stored in a separate building

Answer: (A)

Securing access to controlled substances is the key idea. They must be stored in a locked cabinet in a secure area so only authorized personnel can reach them, and there’s a controlled record of who accessed them. A sturdy, lockable cabinet (often anchored and kept within a designated drug-storage or pharmacy area) provides the physical barrier against theft or diversion.

Storing them in an unlocked cabinet would defeat that security purpose and is not acceptable. Keeping them with general stock risks misplacement and noncompliance with tracking requirements. Storing in a separate building isn’t required as long as the storage within the building is secure and access-controlled. The locked-cabinet-in-a-secure-area standard is the practical, enforceable approach to safeguard these substances.