A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising: vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed; if said vended item is not distributable to an authorized recipient; quarantining said vended item including inserting said vended item into a port on an exterior of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository in the interior of said machine; and updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said machine.