Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which federal law mandates specific responsibilities for keeping controlled substances secure?

1. Controlled Substance Act

2. Animal Welfare Act

3. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

4. Occupational Safety and Health Act

The correct answer is: Controlled Substance Act

The Controlled Substance Act is the federal law that mandates specific responsibilities for the security of controlled substances. This law was enacted to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and dispensation of controlled substances, ensuring they are stored and handled in a manner that prevents misuse and abuse. Under this law, facilities that work with these substances are required to implement strict security measures, conduct regular inventory checks, and maintain detailed records to track the handling of these substances. It creates a legal framework for accountability and standards of practice in the management of controlled drugs, which is crucial in laboratory and clinical settings where these substances may be essential for research or treatment protocols. The other acts listed have different focuses: the Animal Welfare Act deals primarily with the treatment and humane care of animals in research, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regulates the safety of food and drugs but not specifically the security of controlled substances, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act addresses workplace safety rather than the management of drugs.