Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science

Event Title

Creation and Initial Implementation of a Pharmacy Inventory Management System for Free Clinics

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Subject Area

Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science

Start Date

11-4-2014 10:15 AM

End Date

11-4-2014 11:45 AM

Description

Introduction: Inventory management is an important business practice regardless of the industrial setting. In the pharmacy industry, inventory management directly leads to improved care and lowered costs. An inventory control system should allow the pharmacy to carry the necessary medications without carrying items that might expire. Without the necessary medications in stock, proper patient care cannot be delivered. There are many commercial pharmacy systems available; however the high cost precludes many free or volunteer-clinics from obtaining these systems.

Problem: After careful analysis of applicable commercial products, it was decided that a free, innovative system would enable free-clinics to better utilize and manage inventory.

Procedure: A novel Microsoft Access-Excel based system was created to mimic key components that were identified as necessary for inventory management. The features of our product include the following: 1) a linked inventory for over forty different medications on formulary 2)a prescription label making process 3) individualized medications reports that can be used to track current usage, past ordering history, predict future demand, and analyze monthly, quarterly, and yearly distribution 4) calculated target inventory levels that provide alerts when remaining stock is low and it is necessary to reorder 5) visual handouts to train and equip both leaders and volunteers how to properly manage, operate, and maintain the system.

Results/Future Plans: The implementation of the system began February 1, 2014 at Butler University Community Outreach Pharmacy (BUCOP). After Beta testing is complete in the first fiscal quarter, it is planned to present the current board of BUCOP, as well as other local free clinics, the option for full implementation. It is our hope that the system will be shared online in order to further its dissemination to other clinics.

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Apr 11th, 10:15 AM Apr 11th, 11:45 AM

Creation and Initial Implementation of a Pharmacy Inventory Management System for Free Clinics

Indianapolis, IN

Introduction: Inventory management is an important business practice regardless of the industrial setting. In the pharmacy industry, inventory management directly leads to improved care and lowered costs. An inventory control system should allow the pharmacy to carry the necessary medications without carrying items that might expire. Without the necessary medications in stock, proper patient care cannot be delivered. There are many commercial pharmacy systems available; however the high cost precludes many free or volunteer-clinics from obtaining these systems.

Problem: After careful analysis of applicable commercial products, it was decided that a free, innovative system would enable free-clinics to better utilize and manage inventory.

Procedure: A novel Microsoft Access-Excel based system was created to mimic key components that were identified as necessary for inventory management. The features of our product include the following: 1) a linked inventory for over forty different medications on formulary 2)a prescription label making process 3) individualized medications reports that can be used to track current usage, past ordering history, predict future demand, and analyze monthly, quarterly, and yearly distribution 4) calculated target inventory levels that provide alerts when remaining stock is low and it is necessary to reorder 5) visual handouts to train and equip both leaders and volunteers how to properly manage, operate, and maintain the system.

Results/Future Plans: The implementation of the system began February 1, 2014 at Butler University Community Outreach Pharmacy (BUCOP). After Beta testing is complete in the first fiscal quarter, it is planned to present the current board of BUCOP, as well as other local free clinics, the option for full implementation. It is our hope that the system will be shared online in order to further its dissemination to other clinics.