An automated system and associated method for storing items comprises a cabinet having at least one refrigerated drawer using a temperature control device and a non-temperature controlled drawer. The drawer design is such that temperature gradients throughout the drawer are minimized. Faraday cages are provided about each drawer to support separate RFID readers to monitor the items in each drawer. The temperature-controlled drawer is insulated so that adjacent non-temperature controlled drawers are not significantly affected by the temperature of the temperature-controlled drawer and they may exist at room temperature. An automatic RFID data detection system determines the temperature requirements of medical items in the temperature-controlled drawer and controls the temperature control device to maintain the required temperature. A temperature logging system for the temperature controlled drawer is provided. A separate RFID reader determines if a temperature-controlled item has been placed in a non-temperature controlled drawer and if so, an alert is provided.
