Having an effective pharmacy inventory management system can bring a multitude of benefits. Here’s how to be successful at it.

Pharmacy inventory management is a critical component of running a successful pharmacy. Effective inventory management ensures that a pharmacy has the right medications in stock at the right time, enabling it to provide high-quality patient care and improve profitability. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key principles of pharmacy inventory management and offer some tips for optimizing your pharmacy’s inventory management processes, as well as highlight the advantages of using technology like SureCost, to simplify the way pharmacies handle their inventory.

Establish an Accurate Inventory Count

The first step in any effective inventory management approach is to establish an accurate inventory count. If you’re not managing a perpetual inventory, this involves conducting regular physical inventories and reconciling them at some level with your pharmacy’s purchasing and dispensing records. If you are managing perpetual inventory, this may be supplemented by regular cycle counts. By maintaining accurate inventory records, you can identify which medications are in high demand and which ones are moving slowly, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions.

Set Inventory Levels

Another key principle of inventory management is setting and maintaining ideal inventory levels. This involves determining the appropriate levels of stock for each medication, based on factors such as supply, demand, expiration dates, cost and storage requirements. By setting optimal inventory levels, you can reduce waste and minimize the risk of stockouts, which can negatively impact patient care and profitability.

Track Your Inventory

Once inventory levels have been set, it’s important to monitor them regularly and adjust them as needed. This requires tracking inventory turnover rates and adjusting ordering/restocking frequency and quantities accordingly. By monitoring inventory levels, you can also identify slow-moving medications and take steps to reduce their stock levels, freeing up capital for more in-demand products or other pharmacy operations. Read more >