Whether you’re establishing a new pharmacy from the ground up or renovating an existing space, there are must-have components you need to consider to enhance its efficiency. Part of the decisions you need to think more carefully on is the shelving system, which can make or mar your business in the long run.
Pharmacies must follow a layout that is easily accessible that befits a healthcare setting, so the shelves can play a pivotal role in complementing the experience of pharmacists when storing stocks.
With that in mind, knowing what to look for and what you want to achieve from the start will help you build a pharmacy that provides functional space for your trading. The list below should clue you in on the factors you need to consider for your shelving units:
Factor #1: Space Utilisation
Pharmacies often have to make the best of what little space they have, which consists of dividing the area for bulk storage of medicines. Finding the right solution to store your stock efficiently can challenge anyone’s problem-solving skills. Still, it can make a world of difference in how you maximise the limited retail space of your pharmacy.
On that note, the layout of your storage racks can dictate how smoothly the operations will run in your pharmacy. That’s why space utilization is part of the most important as it can ensure minimal disruption and provide maximum display potential for the drugs.
Factor #2: Visibility
Being able to see and grab different types of medicines quickly is a must in all pharmacies, which is why easy visibility is crucial when picking the right racks for your space. This means that the shelves must not be too deep to keep pharmacists from getting lost in the process. With a more accurate display of all the drugs in stock, navigating through the aisles should be easy.
Factor #3: Accessibility
Easy access to the pharmacy’s inventory is critical as it can determine the efficiency of the entire medical practice itself, so ensuring the storage system is clutter-free and organized should do the trick. Not only will it be better for pharmacists who need to grab items off the rack quickly, but it also limits the risks of misplacing drugs.
Factor #4: Security
Pharmacies are vulnerable from smash-and-grabbers as it contains sensitive drugs like narcotics, opioids, and other controlled medicines. These restricted drugs need licensure as proof of its legality to dispense high-risk names, while the storage units require some form of a tamper-proof set-up to enhance security. Conversely, you can incorporate any more regulations regarding the storage system into the shelving design for a safer pharmacy.
Factor #5: Product Movement
One of the deciding factors that can influence the workflow in pharmacies is the product movement of drugs. Some stocks, especially long-term medications and other OTC drugs, sell out faster than others. That’s why having an open design for your shelving unit matters as it can provide easy access for quicker restocks.
In Conclusion
Building a pharmacy is not a decision you can take lightly. While it’s no child’s play, you can make the work easier by installing the right shelving design for your space to enhance the efficiency of your business.
If you are looking for pharmacy storage solutions in the UK, get in touch with us today! We’ll be happy to help.