Whether you’re planning to open a pharmacy or renovating your existing store, one crucial thing to consider is storage. Pharmacies hold reams and boxes of different medicines, and your goal is to implement an efficient and organised system. Having creatively designed storage shelves and display racks allow pharmacists to do their jobs easier and faster. This will enable them to cater to more customers and avoid errors at the same time.
When designing your pharmacy’s storage and display layouts, here are five things to consider:
1. Maximum Storage Space
Unless you’re building a mega-pharmacy, you need to consider how to utilise every corner of your store. Most pharmacies have to deal with limited retail space, which should include both proper storage for boxes of medicines and product display. For this, consult your visual merchandise designer on how to best position your cabinets, shelves, and racks so that you can maximise your space.
Remember that there is a proper way of storing different medicines. Most drugs need to be away from sunlight, and some even need to be refrigerated. Your store’s blueprint must rely on these considerations.
2. Clear Visibility
Pharmacists are trained to dispense prescription and over-the-counter drugs accurately. Their job entails no room for error. Because of this, pharmacists require an environment that is clean and organised. When it comes to storage and shelving, your staff should be able to see where each of the medicines is stored. There should be proper labels to avoid confusion and product swaps as well.
3. Ease of Access
Seeing your stocks is one thing, and being able to access them is another. Before you install the shelves, consider their height and placement. Too high and your pharmacists will have difficulty reaching them. Too low, and they may also find it hard to bend over all day long. Because of this, study how you could achieve the golden ratio. Aside from the height, consider other dimensions in terms of storage capacity. For instance, deeper racks hold more products, which require pull-out drawers to provide better access.
4. Product Turnover
Your storage and display solution should also consider your products’ turnover. With this, you have to look at your sales and consult with your suppliers because some items tend to sell out quicker than others. Over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and long-term prescriptions usually sell out faster because more patients need them. Consider placing these in easily seen locations both for your customer’s sake and for the ease of your staff to restock.
5. Safety
Some drugs need extra protection in terms of how they are stored. These drugs are called controlled drugs, which include narcotics and opioids. If your pharmacy is licensed to dispense these, store them in racks and cabinets that are tamper-proof and secure. Access to these drugs should be limited to a few pharmacists. Additionally, sharp items such as syringes and scissors must be kept away from children’s reach. Make sure to review all rules and regulations on how to correctly display medicines and medical supplies.
Pharmacies have a distinct role in the healthcare industry. They serve as a link between drug companies and consumers. For people who are struggling with diseases, pharmacies are essential institutions, along with hospitals and laboratories. Having proper storage and shelving units in place allows you to serve your customers better and safer.
If you’re looking for pharmacy storage shelves, get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help.