Which statement about medication storage is NOT true?

• A. Medications should be stored in direct sunlight to preserve potency.
• B. Medications must be stored under proper lighting, ventilation, and temperature control, as recommended by the manufacturer
• C. When storage recommendations are not provided by the manufacturer, the Drug Substance Monographs and Excipients of the USP may be referred to for guidance.
• D. Medications should be stored with the earliest expiration date located in the far back of the shelf

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how to keep medications both potent and safe by using proper stock rotation and storage conditions. Medications should be stored under the environmental conditions recommended by the manufacturer—adequate lighting, ventilation, and a stable temperature—and, when guidance isn’t provided, you can refer to the USP Drug Substance Monographs and Excipients for general directions. A core practice for rotation is First Expired, First Out: the item with the earliest expiration date should be used first and kept accessible so it doesn’t sit unused until it expires. Placing the earliest-expiring products at the back would make it easy to overlook them and risk using products past their expiration. That approach conflicts with safe inventory management. Also, direct sunlight is not typically desirable because light can degrade many drugs, so storing meds in direct sunlight is not recommended. The statements aligned with these principles are correct, while the one about tucking the earliest-expiring items away contradicts the standard rotation practice.