Warehouse organization

Ms Chen covers the last topic of this activity: storage management. Quality storage management is essential in ensuring smooth and reliable dispensing.

Key points

Efficient inventory management requires reliable and economical dispensary routes and minimization of wastage or loss of quality. In addition, stock shortages must be prevented.

Well-managed storage operation should have the following characteristics:

• All staff belong to the warehouse need to be qualified and well-trained.

• Management structure should be clearly defined.

• Standards operation procedures or handbooks should be available.

• Practice good housekeeping and stock verification regularly.

• Perform periodical audits.

Storage conditions including temperature, light, and humidity should be monitored. Products should be clearly organized within respective zones, with each zone containing a type of drug. They can be similar in their route of administration, form of preparation, or therapeutic categories. Tags can be incorporated into the hospital prescribing system to help physicians and other medical stuff avoids any errors. The storage of controlled substances must comply with misuse of drugs regulations. Standard operating procedures about ordering, receiving, recordkeeping, return, and waste, should be established. Pharmacists are responsible for conducting various checks on the storage.

In terms of return and disposal, generally, full credit should not be given for the returns of products that expire within 6 months. Compounded medicines repackaged and other potentially toxic products cannot be returned.

Share and learn:

Who manages medication storage in your hospital?