Pharmacy inventory: batch and expiry done right
Why batch tracking and first-expiry-first-out (FEFO) are non-negotiable for pharmacies and distributors — and how to enforce them without slowing the counter.
For a pharmacy, expired stock is not just shrinkage — it is a compliance and safety risk. Getting batch and expiry right is the whole game.
Track the lot, not just the SKU
A medicine is not one number on a shelf. Each receipt is a lot with its own expiry. If your system only counts units, it cannot tell you which ones are about to turn.
Make FEFO the default
First-expiry-first-out should happen automatically at the point of sale — the soonest-to-expire batch leaves first. Picking a later batch should be possible but deliberate: a manager override with a recorded reason, never a silent slip.
See trouble before it arrives
A near-expiry report turns a quiet risk into an action list: return, discount, or move stock while it still has value.
Trace every outbound
When each sale records its lot, recalls and returns trace straight back to the batch — minutes of work instead of a manual hunt.
Keep the licences on file
Supplier and outlet licence details belong on the record, not in a drawer. Capture them once and they are there when you need them.