How must controlled substances be stored in a pharmacy?

Controlled substances (CS) must be stored in a manner that balances accessibility for legitimate medical use with security to prevent diversion and misuse. The correct answer states that Schedule I (C1) substances must be stored in a locked cabinet, as these substances have no accepted medical use and are considered the most dangerous. Schedule II (C2) substances also require a high level of security due to their potential for abuse and dependence; however, they can be stored in a locked cabinet or mixed with non-controlled substances, provided they are still secured against theft and unauthorized access.

Schedules III through V (C3, C4, C5) include substances that are less strictly regulated compared to C1 and C2, which allows for greater flexibility in their storage. These can be stored together with non-controlled inventory, as long as they are not easily accessible to unauthorized individuals.

The option correctly outlines these regulations regarding the secure storage of controlled substances while recognizing the distinct regulatory requirements for different schedules, thus ensuring compliance with pharmacy laws and protecting public health.