How should medications be stored in a facility?

Medications should be stored in a secure, dry, and temperature-controlled environment to ensure their efficacy and safety. Proper storage conditions protect medications from degradation and contamination, which could reduce their effectiveness or potentially cause harm if they are compromised.

A secure environment prevents unauthorized access, which is particularly important for controlled substances or medications that could pose a risk if misused. A dry environment is critical because moisture can lead to the breakdown of certain medications, impacting their stability and therapeutic effect. Additionally, temperature control is essential; some medications require specific temperature ranges to maintain their integrity, and extremes in either direction can lead to potency loss.

This practice is in contrast to storing medications in a warm and humid environment, which is detrimental, or in any available cabinet regardless of conditions, which poses significant risks to the medications' stability and security. Storing medications in a shared refrigerator with food items can also lead to contamination and is considered an unsafe practice, as it can upset the required storage conditions for certain drugs. Therefore, storing medications properly ensures that they remain safe and effective for patient use.