If you encounter medication that looks contaminated, what should you do before any disposal?

• A. Dispose immediately
• B. Do not dispense it
• C. Return to shelf
• D. Show to customers

Answer: (B)

When a medication looks contaminated, safety comes first: do not dispense it. Contaminated meds can pose serious harm to patients and staff, so they must be removed from sale and treated as a potential issue.

Quarantine the item by setting it aside in a secure, designated area and alert the pharmacist or supervisor immediately. They will determine the proper disposition—whether it should be returned to the supplier, destroyed through approved waste channels, or handled another way—according to policy and regulations. Do not place it back on the shelf, do not show it to customers, and do not dispose of it yourself. Documentation of the issue is typically part of the process to ensure proper tracking and resolution.