According to the Controlled Substances Act, how should controlled substances be stored in a medical office?

Controlled substances are regulated due to their potential for abuse and addiction. The Controlled Substances Act outlines specific guidelines for their storage to ensure safety and compliance with legal requirements. Storing controlled substances in a locked cabinet is essential to prevent unauthorized access and theft, contributing to the safety of patients and staff within a medical office.

A locked cabinet provides a secure environment, limiting access to only those individuals who are authorized to handle these substances, such as licensed healthcare professionals. This regulation helps to maintain accountability and reduces the risk of diversion and misuse of these drugs.

Options like a refrigerated area are specific to certain medications but do not universally apply to all controlled substances. Open shelves and drawers that are accessible to all staff fail to provide the necessary security and control required for the handling of these medications, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. Therefore, the best practice, as indicated by the controlled substances regulations, is to store these medications in a locked cabinet.