In a pharmacy, how you stock your shelves has a direct impact on how accessible items are. Accessibility in store shelving affects sales, while organization in back-of-store systems determines how quickly prescriptions are filled. Following the right stocking methods improves customer service and inventory management. From Metro® wire shelving usage to inventory control, here are some smart practices to implement.

What Shelves to Use for Stock

Pharmacy shelves should provide stability and easy access for personnel and customers. Metro wire shelving is the industry standard for pharmacies. It comes in sturdy materials like stainless steel and epoxy coated wire, which aren’t easily jostled or knocked over.

This type of shelving is available in freestanding and wall-mounted versions to fit virtually any space. There are also models with wheels, which can come in handy when transporting stock and moving between workstations.

Best Practices for Maintaining Your Stock

Whether it's behind or in front of the counter, taking regular inventory of your products improves customer satisfaction. Take inventory at the end or beginning of each day to ensure that featured or discounted items are prominently displayed, expired medication is discarded, and items are reordered when the stock runs low.

Keeping excess inventory isn't recommended. Extra products take up space, and medications can expire before they're purchased. Stocking also becomes more difficult because you'll have to sort through more boxes to find what you need.

When assessing your inventory, determine which items sell faster and need more backup stock. Drugs not dispensed in the past 120 days may not require reserves. Use a computerized management system to track these patterns and automatically order products as needed. 

If you need more shelving for your stock, contact Midwest Medical Systems. Based in Dayton, OH, this equipment provider has served businesses throughout the Midwest since 1982. They carry Metro wire shelving, refrigerators, freezers, and other supplies you need to maintain a safe and efficient pharmacy. Call (800) 762-7722 to ask about their solutions, or visit them online to learn more about Metro wire shelving.