Pharmacy Law Practice Exam

How often should storage shelving be cleaned in a pharmacy?

1. Once a year

2. Only when it looks dirty

3. Visible soiled, suspected contamination, after a spill and every 3 months

4. Daily

The correct answer is: Visible soiled, suspected contamination, after a spill and every 3 months

In a pharmacy, maintaining cleanliness is vital for ensuring both medication safety and the health of patients. The correct approach to cleaning storage shelving is to perform it regularly—specifically every three months—for routine maintenance, as well as after any visible soiling, suspected contamination, or spills. This frequency helps to prevent the accumulation of dust, residues, and potential contaminants that could compromise the integrity of medications and create risks for patients. Cleaning shelving only when it looks dirty is inadequate because it does not follow a proactive approach; issues could arise before a visual inspection prompts action. Annual cleaning may not be frequent enough, especially in a setting where products are constantly accessed and can be subject to spills or contamination. Daily cleaning may be excessive and not practical, as it could divert valuable time and resources away from patient care and other crucial pharmacy activities. Thus, the recommended practice of cleaning shelving every three months, combined with immediate action following any contamination incidents, ensures a safe and effective environment for medication storage.