Controlling what you hold.
WHY IT DESERVES MORE DISCIPLINE THAN ORDINARY RETAIL
Stock expires, and expired stock is a total loss and a compliance risk.
WHAT TO RECORD PER ITEM
Product and strength Batch number Expiry date Quantity Cost and selling price Supplier
WHY BATCH AND EXPIRY AT ITEM LEVEL
Recalls and expiry management both depend on it.
HOW TO ARRANGE STOCK
So that items expiring first are dispensed first.
WHAT TO CHECK REGULARLY
Expiry dates across the whole range.
WHAT TO DO WITH ITEMS APPROACHING EXPIRY
Establish whether the supplier accepts returns Move them, where clinically appropriate Write them off if not
WHY SUPPLIER RETURNS MATTER
Some accept near-expiry returns, which converts a total loss into a partial one.
WHAT TO NEGOTIATE
Return terms, before agreeing to stock a product.
WHAT TO DO WITH EXPIRED STOCK
Remove it from the dispensing area immediately Store it separately, marked Dispose of it properly and record it
WHY SEPARATELY
Expired stock found among saleable stock is a serious inspection finding.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Dispense expired products Dispose of medicines with general waste
WHAT TO MEASURE
Expiry write-offs, as a proportion of purchases.
WHAT A HIGH FIGURE INDICATES
Over-ordering, or stocking what does not move.
WHAT TO DO
Order smaller quantities more frequently.
