What defines a multi-use medication?

A multi-use medication is defined as one that can be used by several patients, typically because it is designed to be safe and effective for more than one individual or can be shared once appropriate protocols are followed. In many instances, these medications are preserved in a way that minimizes contamination and maximizes safety when used by multiple patients. This distinguishes multi-use medications from single-use medications that are only intended for one patient in a single instance.

The other options do not capture the essence of what makes a medication multi-use. Pre-packaging for convenience refers to the format and does not imply that it can be used by more than one patient. Daily administration is simply a dosing schedule and doesn't reflect on the use across different patients. Lastly, while some multi-use medications may require special storage, this is not a defining characteristic and can vary significantly depending on the specific medication.