Stock Control

Stock control is a big part of managing a pharmacy.  There is a wide variety and large volume of goods, and often limited space in which to handle and store them.

Safety Issues

Space is often at a premium; however, stock should not be stacked so high that it may cause injury if it falls – or risk of injury when retrieving. Issues include:-

• Manual handling consideration, especially strains and repetitive movements
• Safe access and trip and fall hazards
• Using knives and cutters to open packaging

Loss control

Loss control for stock includes proper rotation and inward goods receipt. Key issues are:-

• Stock rotation and ordering regimes which avoid stock shortages and lost sales but avoid surplus stock
• Damage of goods when unpacking and confusion as to liability
• Spoilage and contamination
• The treatment of goods requiring temperature control
• The receipt of high value (as opposed to bulk) goods; especially who take receipt and where they are stored and under what security conditions.