What security measures reduce theft in a Medical Store?

• A. Access control, CCTV surveillance, transaction logging, separation of duties, random audits, secure storage for high-value items.
• B. Opening storage to all staff at all times.
• C. Using only manual counts with no controls.
• D. Keeping crucial items unlocked.

Answer: (A)

Layered security controls that limit access, monitor actions, and ensure accountability reduce theft in a medical store. Limiting access means only authorized staff can enter storerooms or dispense areas, which directly cuts opportunities for unauthorized taking of items. CCTV surveillance adds a visible deterrent and provides evidence if any theft occurs, making it harder to act anonymously. Transaction logging records every sale, return, or stock adjustment, so discrepancies can be traced back to the source and investigated promptly. Separation of duties means no single person handles all aspects of a high-value item—from receiving and recording to dispensing—creating checkpoints that catch errors or dishonest acts. Random audits keep staff aware that their work can be reviewed at unpredictable times, increasing vigilance. Secure storage for high-value items ensures these items are physically locked away and accessible only to authorized personnel.

In practice, combining these measures creates multiple layers of protection: access limits reduce chances of theft, monitoring and logging uncover and deter suspicious activity, duties separation prevents a single individual from steering losses, and secure storage physically blocks casual opportunity. The other approaches fall short because they either remove protections (opening storage to all staff, keeping items unlocked) or rely on a single method (manual counts with no controls), which leaves gaps for theft or undetected discrepancies.