Rx Note

Introduction The advice presented in this post are solely based on my four-year experience in inventory management at my hospital. Hopefully, these will serve as some tips when you are new to inventory management. As the rule of thumb, we should practice FEFO principle (i.e. First Expiry First Out). When receiving new stocks, remember to compare the expiry date of new and existing stocks. Storing medications with different expiry date at different location to avoid confusion is a handy measure. This is because humans are forgetful . NOTE: For the details in inventory management in logistics pharmacy at government facilities, you may refer to Garis Panduan Pengurusan Farmasi Logistik Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, 2020 and Modul Latihan Farmasi Logistik, 2024 . Monthly Usage As the rule of thumb, when comes to inventory management, the decision should not be based on one's intuition. The important parameter that we should always refer to will be monthly usage. However, monthly ...

Introduction In everyday life, we often have to make decisions based on incomplete information. We use our analytical skills to gather information, assess the situation and make the best possible decision. Analytical thinking is the ability to break down a problem into its component parts and identify the relationships between them. Along with critical thinking, it is a crucial aspect of problem solving, decision making and data analysis. Case Study: Constipation In a community pharmacy setting, pharmacists often use their clinical reasoning skill to diagnose and recommend treatments for common minor symptoms such as cough , diarrhoea and gastric issues. For example, a 34-year-old mother brings her 4-year-old son to the pharmacy because he has been constipated for a few days. Before making any product recommendations, the pharmacist would first need to establish the following: Whether the diagnosis of constipation is correct Different people have different normal bowel habits, rangi...

Introduction The Good Distribution Practice guidelines are designed to ensure the quality, safety and integrity of products throughout the supply chain. These guidelines help prevent the introduction of substandard or falsified products into the market. Receiving Upon receipt, each incoming delivery should be checked against the relevant documentation and physically verified by Label description Type and quantity (subdivided according to the supplier's lot number if necessary) Relevant purchase order information including Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (where applicable) originated from approved suppliers. All containers should be carefully inspected for tampering, contamination and damage. If necessary, the suspected container or the entire delivery should be quarantined or set aside for further investigation. Records should be detained for each delivery. Products with specific storage requirements [e.g. poisons, psychotropic substances and d...

Introduction An inventory management is an organized approach designed to maintain just the right amount of pharmaceutical products in the pharmacy at all times. A key goal of inventory management is to maximize inventory turns while at the same time minimize inventory carrying costs (or holding costs). Products should be used and not remain on the shelf aging. Although drugs left on the shelf could be considered as financial assets, their useful shelf life wanes with each passing day and excessive inventory is an unproductive asset, tying up money and resources that can be used in running other elements of the pharmacy operation or business as a whole. A variety of inventory systems are used in pharmacy practice, ranging from simple to complex. Order Book When pharmacists or pharmacy technicians identify a product that need to be reordered, they simply write the item in the order book. The listed drugs are then ordered periodically from wholesalers or other suppliers. It is highly d...