Who may possess a key to a pharmacy?

The correct answer indicates that a registered pharmacist, along with one unregistered person designated by the owner, may possess a key to the pharmacy. This arrangement aligns with both regulatory and operational standards in pharmacy practice.

Registered pharmacists are entrusted with the responsibility of managing controlled substances and ensuring safe dispensing practices, which makes it essential for them to have access to the pharmacy at all times. However, the flexibility to allow one unregistered person to possess a key, as designated by the owner, provides necessary coverage in situations where the pharmacist may not be available. This unregistered person could be someone like a pharmacy technician or a security personnel, whom the owner trusts to facilitate operations without compromising security.

This policy also ensures compliance with laws governing pharmacy operations, which often stipulate that keys to pharmaceuticals must be controlled to prevent unauthorized access while still allowing for essential operational readiness. The presence of a designated unregistered person helps in maintaining continuity in service and securing the pharmacy when the registered pharmacist is not present, but still under the owner's oversight.