Must needles be stored in pharmacies so they are only available to authorized personnel?

The correct answer is that needles must be stored in pharmacies so they are only available to authorized personnel. This requirement is in place to ensure safety and to prevent misuse or accidental injuries associated with needles, which are classified as biohazardous materials. By restricting access to authorized personnel, pharmacies adhere to regulations aimed at minimizing risk of injury, abuse, and contamination.

This practice aligns with guidelines set by regulatory agencies, which mandate that potentially dangerous items, such as needles, be kept secure and accessible only to trained staff. This not only promotes safe handling of needles but also helps in maintaining proper inventory control and minimizing the potential for theft or abuse within the pharmacy environment.

The other options do not represent best practices or legal requirements regarding the storage of needles. Storing them only during business hours would not provide constant security, while the idea of only allowing access when shelves are open does not adequately ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot access them at other times.