Topic 2 Community Pharmacy Management.pptx

1. Introduction

Community pharmacy is the most accessible segment of the healthcare system, providing direct interaction between pharmacists and patients. It serves as the first point of contact for health advice, medication dispensing, and minor ailment management.
Community pharmacy management refers to the systematic organization, planning, coordination, and control of all activities in a community pharmacy to ensure safe, effective, ethical, and financially sustainable operations.

Effective management combines pharmaceutical knowledge with business administration and patient-care ethics, balancing professional responsibilities with commercial viability.

2. Objectives of Community Pharmacy Management

The primary goals are:

To ensure safe and rational use of medicines.

To provide patient-centered pharmaceutical care.

To maintain adequate stock of essential medicines.

To ensure cost-effective operations and sustainability.

To comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.

To promote health education and public awareness.

To maintain good relationships with physicians, patients, and suppliers.

To train and supervise staff for efficient workflow.

To implement quality assurance in all services.

3. Functions of Community Pharmacy

Community pharmacy functions extend far beyond medicine supply. Key functions include:

Dispensing of Medicines:
Accurate interpretation of prescriptions, proper labeling, and counseling regarding dose, timing, and side effects.

Patient Counseling:
Providing information on correct medication use, lifestyle modification, and adherence support.

Self-Care & OTC Services:
Recommending suitable OTC drugs and advising when medical referral is necessary.

Health Promotion:
Conducting awareness campaigns on smoking cessation, vaccination, nutrition, and hygiene.

Clinical Services:
Basic health screening such as blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, and BMI assessment.

Pharmacovigilance:
Reporting adverse drug reactions and maintaining patient safety records.

Inventory and Financial Management:
Maintaining adequate stock levels and ensuring profitability.

Documentation and Record Keeping:
Keeping prescription registers, narcotic records, and purchase/sales documentation as per regulations.

4. Organization Structure of a Community Pharmacy

A well-organized structure ensures smooth workflow and accountability.
A typical organizational hierarchy includes:

Pharmacy Owner / Manager – Overall administrative and financial responsibility.

Registered Pharmacist(s) – Professional dispensing, patient counseling, and supervision.

Pharmacy Assistant / Technician – Prescription preparation, labeling, billing.

Storekeeper / Inventory Clerk – Procurement, storage, and stock records.

Cashier / Accountant – Financial transactions and reporting.

Cleaning and Support Staff – Maintenance of hygiene and cleanliness.

The size and structure may vary depending on the pharmacy’s scale and location.

1. Community Pharmacy Management Topic: 02 Presented by : Dr. Sanket R. Harimkar Assistant Professor MCOP, Nigdi. Pune