How should medications be stored to ensure safety and efficacy?

Medications should be stored in a secure, cool, and dry location away from sunlight to maintain their safety and efficacy. This storage method minimizes the risk of degradation and contamination, both of which can occur in environments that are too warm or humid. Heat can cause medications to break down more quickly, while moisture can promote mold growth or chemical reactions that diminish the effectiveness of the drugs. Sunlight, particularly UV light, can also degrade certain medications, making them less potent or even unsafe to use.

By keeping medications in a secure place, you also protect them from accidental ingestion by children or pets, as well as from potential misuse or tampering. A cool, dry environment also helps to ensure that the chemical structure of the medications remains stable over their shelf life, enabling them to work as intended when administered.