Why are random audits included as a security measure in Medical Stores?

• A. They help detect and deter theft by unpredictability in checks.
• B. They replace routine inventory counts.
• C. They slow down operations with no security benefit.
• D. They are only performed for high-value items.

Answer: (A)

Random audits act as a security tool in medical stores because they introduce unpredictability in checking stock, which makes theft harder to conceal. When staff don’t know when an audit will take place, the risk of being caught for missing items increases, which deters dishonest behavior and helps detect discrepancies early. This enhances overall accuracy of inventories and protects valuable medicines and supplies. Routine counts remain important, but random audits add an additional layer of control by monitoring across different times and items rather than at fixed intervals. They are not limited to high-value items, and they do not replace routine inventory counts; they complement them to strengthen accountability.