How To Increase Revenue By Managing Your Pharmacy's Wasted Inventory
Posted by Total Pharmacy Supply on Jul 8th 2022
Did you know that pharmacies generate a lot of waste? In fact, it is estimated that pharmacies discard up to 2% of the drugs they purchase each year.This adds up to a lot of wasted money and resources! In this blog post, we will discuss some ways that pharmacists can manage their pharmacy's wasted inventory and increase revenue. We will also talk about how pharmacists can promote eco-friendly habits in their communities.
The Waste Problem
When it comes to wasted inventory, pharmacies are not alone. Hospitals discard an estimated $765 billion worth of medical supplies each year. That's a lot of waste! And it's not just money down the drain. This waste also has a negative impact on the environment.
One study found that healthcare facilities in the United States generate about two million tons of hazardous waste each year and accounts for 10% of the greenhouse gasses emitted from the U.S.This hazardous waste includes expired drugs and medical supplies, as well as Sharps containers and other infectious waste.
So what can be done about this wasted inventory? For pharmacies, the answer lies in proper management of their inventory. By keeping track of what is being purchased and used, pharmacies can avoid purchasing too much of a product that will expire before it can be used.
Inventory Management Practices
There are a few things that pharmacies can do to better manage their inventory and reduce waste.
- First, create a system for tracking your inventory. This can be as simple as keeping a list of the products you have in stock and when they were purchased, or as complex as implementing a customized software that tracks inventory trends and guides your purchasing needs.
- Second, set expiration dates for all products. This will help you keep track of when products need to be used or disposed of.
- Third, review your inventory regularly. This will help you identify any products that are not being used and may need to be removed from your shelves.
By following these simple inventory management practices, pharmacies can reduce their wasted inventory and save money. In addition, they can also help to reduce the amount of hazardous waste being generated each year.
Eco-Friendly Habits
In addition to managing their inventory, pharmacists can also promote eco-friendly habits in their communities. One way to do this is by encouraging patients to recycle their unused or expired medications.
Many pharmacies have started programs that allow patients to drop off their unused medications for safe disposal. This helps to keep these medications out of the landfill and reduces the risk of them being abused or contaminating the environment.
Another way that pharmacists can promote eco-friendly habits is by educating their patients about the importance of proper medication disposal. Many patients are not aware of the risks associated with throwing away their medications. By educating patients about the proper way to dispose of their medications, pharmacists can help to reduce the amount of medication waste being generated each year.
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Pharmacists play a vital role in protecting public health and safety. In addition to dispensing medications, they also play an important role in promoting eco-friendly habits and reducing medication waste. By following some simple inventory management practices and promoting eco-friendly habits, pharmacists can help to reduce the amount of wasted medication and make a positive impact on the environment.