Secure access distribution machines and methods for distributing a plurality of medical items (224) to an authorized user. The distribution machine (10) includes a housing (12) enclosing a plurality of bins (128) for storing medical items (224) mounted on carousels (70). Once the distribution machine (10) has been provided with user identification data, patient identification data, and an item selection, the plurality of carousels (70) is actuated to move a bin (74) holding a selected medical item to a location behind an access door (130) in the housing (12). The user can then reach into the housing (12) to manually retrieve and then verify the removal of the selected medical item. Only one access door (30) into the housing (12) is opened at any time, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of medical items (224) stored in any other bins (74) within the housing (12).
