Which of the following represents a common threat to medical store inventory, and what is an effective mitigation?

• A. Expiry; mitigate with storage restrictions.
• B. Theft; mitigate with access controls and CCTV.
• C. Misplacement; mitigate by ignoring cycle counts.
• D. Damages; mitigate by avoiding handling procedures.

Answer: (B)

The main concept is that theft is a common threat to medical store inventory. An effective mitigation is to enforce strict access controls and CCTV surveillance. Limiting who can enter the storeroom and handle medicines, using unique user IDs, and locking storage reduces opportunities for pilferage. CCTV adds a deterrent effect and provides evidence if items go missing, making investigations easier and reinforcing accountability.

Other threats like expiry, misplacement, and damages exist too, but the proposed mitigations must match the risk. Expiry is best addressed by proper stock rotation and regular expiry checks rather than generic storage restrictions. Misplacement is tackled through regular cycle counts, accurate labeling, and systematic stock reconciliation, not ignoring counts. Damages are prevented through proper handling procedures, training, and safe storage practices, not by avoiding handling.