2. FUNCTIONS- A medical store, also known as a pharmacy or drugstore,
serves a crucial function in providing essential medications, medical supplies, and
health-related products to the community.
1.Dispensing Medications: The primary function of a medical store is to dispense prescribed
medications to patients. Pharmacists or trained staff verify prescriptions, prepare medications, and
provide instructions on how to use them safely and effectively.
2.Patient Consultation: Pharmacists play a vital role in patient care by providing consultations and
advice on medications, potential side effects, drug interactions, and proper usage. They may also
offer guidance on over-the-counter (OTC) products and health-related inquiries.
3.Maintaining Inventory: Medical stores must keep track of their inventory to ensure adequate stock
of medications and supplies. This involves ordering medications from suppliers, receiving
shipments, and managing inventory levels to prevent shortages or expired products.
3. 4. Quality Assurance: Pharmacists are responsible for ensuring the quality, safety, and
efficacy of medications dispensed to patients. This includes verifying the authenticity of
medications, checking for proper labelling and packaging, and storing medications under
appropriate conditions.
5. Compounding Medications: In some cases, pharmacists may need to compound
medications to meet specific patient needs, such as adjusting dosage forms or creating
customized formulations not commercially available.
6. Patient Education: Medical stores often provide educational materials and resources
to patients on various health topics, medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and
disease management.
7. Collaboration with Healthcare Providers: Pharmacists may collaborate with
physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated patient care.
This may involve communicating medication changes, providing medication therapy
management services, and participating in healthcare team meetings.
4. 8. Adherence Support: Pharmacists play a crucial role in promoting
medication adherence among patients. They may offer services such
as medication synchronization, refill reminders, and counselling to
help patients understand the importance of taking their medications
as prescribed.
9. Health Screening Services: Some medical stores offer health
screening services such as blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol
testing, and diabetes screenings to help identify health issues and
promote early intervention.
10. Specialized Services: Depending on the store's capabilities and
resources, they may offer specialized services such as vaccination
clinics, medication therapy management, smoking cessation
programs, and home healthcare products.
5. Medical storage – It refers to the facilities, systems, and procedures involved in storing medical
supplies, equipment, and medications in a healthcare setting. Proper medical storage is essential for
maintaining the integrity, safety, and effectiveness of medical products
• Temperature Control: Many medications and medical supplies require specific temperature conditions
for storage to maintain their stability and efficacy. Medical storage facilities typically include
refrigerators, freezers, and temperature-controlled rooms to ensure proper temperature management.
• Inventory Management: Effective inventory management is crucial for ensuring that medical facilities
have an adequate supply of essential medical items while minimizing waste and stockouts. This involves
tracking inventory levels, conducting regular audits, and implementing systems for reordering supplies
when necessary.
• Organization and Labelling: Medical storage areas should be organized in a way that allows for easy
identification and access to different types of medical products. Proper labbeling of shelves, bins, and
storage containers helps staff quickly locate items and reduces the risk of errors.
• Security: Medical storage areas must be secure to prevent theft, tampering, or unauthorized access to
sensitive medical supplies and medications. Access controls, surveillance cameras, and security protocols
help ensure the safety and integrity of stored items.
6. Safety and Compliance: Medical storage facilities must comply with regulatory requirements and
safety standards to ensure the quality and safety of stored medical products. This includes proper
storage conditions for hazardous materials, adherence to infection control protocols, and
compliance with laws and regulations related to pharmaceutical storage.
Expiration Date Management: Medical facilities must regularly monitor and manage the
expiration dates of medical supplies and medications to prevent the use of expired products, which
can compromise patient safety. This involves implementing processes for rotating stock and
removing expired items from inventory.
Specialized Storage Requirements: Some medical products may have specific storage
requirements based on their characteristics or intended use. For example, sensitive medical devices
may require protection from moisture or shock, while hazardous chemicals may need to be stored
in designated areas with appropriate safety precautions.
Emergency Preparedness: Medical storage facilities should have contingency plans and
emergency protocols in place to respond to unforeseen events such as natural disasters, power
outages, or supply chain disruptions. This may include backup power systems, emergency
communication channels, and protocols for securing critical supplies.
7. CONDITIONS MONITORING-
Monitoring conditions in a medical store is crucial to ensure the integrity, safety, and efficacy of
stored medications and supplies.
1.Temperature and Humidity Monitoring: Install temperature and humidity monitoring systems in
storage areas to ensure that conditions remain within acceptable ranges. Continuous monitoring
helps detect deviations that could compromise the stability of medications and supplies.
2.Automated Alerts: Implement automated alert systems that notify staff when temperature or
humidity levels exceed predefined thresholds. This allows for prompt action to address issues
before they impact product quality.
3.Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of storage areas to visually assess conditions,
check for signs of damage or deterioration, and ensure that storage protocols are being followed
correctly.
4.Data Logging and Recording: Maintain detailed records of temperature and humidity levels over
time using data logging systems. This documentation is essential for regulatory compliance and
quality assurance purposes.
8. Calibration of Monitoring Equipment: Calibrate temperature and humidity monitoring equipment regularly to
ensure accuracy and reliability of measurements. Calibration intervals should be defined based on manufacturer
recommendations and regulatory requirements.
Emergency Backup Systems: Install backup power systems, such as generators or uninterruptible power supplies
(UPS), to ensure continuous monitoring and control of storage conditions during power outages or equipment
failures.
Security Monitoring: Implement security measures, such as surveillance cameras and access controls, to monitor
and prevent unauthorized access to storage areas. This helps protect the integrity and safety of stored medications
and supplies.
Inventory Management Systems: Integrate condition monitoring with inventory management systems to track
the status of stored items, including expiration dates, lot numbers, and storage conditions. This facilitates proactive
management of inventory and minimizes the risk of using compromised products.
Regular Maintenance: Schedule routine maintenance of monitoring equipment and storage infrastructure to
ensure proper functioning and reliability. This includes cleaning sensors, replacing batteries, and addressing any
issues identified during inspections.
Staff Training and Education: Provide training to staff members responsible for monitoring storage conditions to
ensure they understand proper procedures, recognize potential issues, and respond effectively to deviations.
