Oral medications must be stored how in relation to topical or external medications?

Oral medications must be stored separately from topical or external medications to prevent any potential contamination or confusion. This separation helps ensure that oral medications are not accidentally administered topically or that topical medications are mistaken for oral medications. Keeping these types of medications apart maintains the integrity of their use and minimizes the risk of cross-contamination, which is crucial for patient safety. In a healthcare setting, this practice is vital to safeguard against medication errors and to adhere to proper medication management standards.