● Site Selection for a Community Pharmacy
○ Importance of market survey and suitable site
○ Ideal locations:
■ Attached/close to clinics
■ Near hospitals
■ Busy market areas
■ Growing city extensions
■ Near railway or bus stations
○ Other crucial site considerations:
■ Parking availability
■ Visibility
■ Future expansion potential
■ Clear landlord negotiations
■ Temperature control for medicines
■ Separate storage for poisons and Schedule X drugs
● Space Layout and Design in Modern Pharmacies
○ Emphasis on quality services, interiors, and ambiance
○ Optimization of space and personnel time for enhanced patient care services
○ Objectives of a good pharmacy layout:
■ Attract customers and encourage purchases
■ Create pleasant ambiance with maximum space utilization
■ Ensure customer convenience and satisfaction
■ Minimize salary expenses through efficiency
○ Classification of Pharmacy Design:
■ Prescription-oriented traditional
■ Super drug store
■ Pharmaceutical care services
○ Characteristics of Prescription-Oriented Traditional Pharmacy Design:
■ Commonly seen, focus on filling prescriptions and selling products
■ Typical layout with cash counter and product displays
■ Limited customer choice and amenities
■ Average size around 200 sq.ft.
Based on the provided documents, here is a brief overview of the selection of a site, space
layout, and design for a community pharmacy.
Site Selection
Before starting a pharmacy, it is essential to conduct a market survey of the area. The success
of the business depends on the prescription feed from doctors, so a suitable site is crucial.
Suitable sites for opening a pharmacy include:
* Attached to a clinic: This is considered the most suitable site. The prescriber can send a good
number of prescriptions based on your rapport. Substitution may be permitted when the
prescribed brand is unavailable.
* Close to clinics: This is also a good choice, especially in a colony or market area. Advantages
include good prescription feed from general practitioners and a good rapport with customers for
general OTC sales. The pharmacist can offer services like counseling and drug therapy
management.
* Nearby to a hospital: Opening a pharmacy near a government general hospital or any other
secondary care or tertiary care hospital is a good idea. The prescription feed will be high, and
the pharmacist must maintain a wide variety of products.
* In a busy market: Busy markets are considered a right choice for opening a pharmacy. Along
with other commodities, people will also purchase medicines for their health. Success depends
on the layout and design, a patient waiting area, water facilities, and patient care services like
counseling and health screening.
* Growing city extensions: These are good sites because people in such areas find it difficult to
go to the market for emergency medicine. A pharmacy with facilities for patient waiting,
counseling, and health screening will attract customers.
* Close to a railway station or bus station: These locations are considered good for opening
pharmacies. Commuters may require immediate relief for acute conditions like diarrhea,
common colds, or body aches.
Other important criteria to consider for a site:
* Parking space in front of the pharmacy.
* Visibility of the pharmacy.
* Opportunity for future expansion of the existing space.
* Clear negotiations with the landlord regarding rent or lease.
* Facilities for temperature control for thermo-labile medicines.
* Separate storage for poison and Schedule X drugs.
Space Layout and Design
In the modern era, clients give importance to quality services, interiors, and ambiance. A new
work system and facility design are essential to optimize the use of space and personnel time,
allowing pharmacists to increase patient care services without adding staff.
Objectives of a good pharmacy layout:
* Attract the maximum number of customers.
* Provide an opportunity for customers to purchase more.
* Create a pleasant ambiance with maximum space utilization.
* Provide customer convenience and satisfaction.
* Minimize salary expenses through layout efficiency and space utilization.
Classification of Pharmacy Design:
Based on the layout and design, pharmacies can be classified as:
* Prescription oriented traditional pharmacy design.
* Super drug store pharmacy design.
* Pharmacy with pharmaceutical care services design.
Prescription Oriented Traditional Pharmacy Design:
* These are traditional drug stores commonly seen in the market or on the street side.
* Their main objective is to serve customers by filling the maximum number of prescriptions and
selling other products.
* The layout typically includes a cash counter for billing and cash collection.
* Products are displayed in racks with support from a salesperson.
* Customer choice, selection, and amenities are very limited.
* The typical size of such pharmacies is around 200 Sq.ft.
Based on the provided documents, here is a brief overview of the selection of a site, space
layout, and design for a community pharmacy.
Site Selection
Before starting a pharmacy, it is essential to conduct a market survey of the area. The success
of the business depends on the prescription feed from doctors, so a suitable site is crucial.
Suitable sites for opening a pharmacy include:
● Attached to a clinic: This is considered the most suitable site. The prescriber can send a
good number of prescriptions based on your rapport. Substitution may be permitted when
the prescribed brand is unavailable.
● Close to clinics: This is also a good choice, especially in a colony or market area.
Advantages include good prescription feed from general practitioners and a good rapport
with customers for general OTC sales. The pharmacist can offer services like counseling
and drug therapy management.
● Nearby to a hospital: Opening a pharmacy near a government general hospital or any
other secondary care or tertiary care hospital is a good idea. The prescription feed will be
high, and the pharmacist must maintain a wide variety of products.
● In a busy market: Busy markets are considered a right choice for opening a pharmacy.
Along with other commodities, people will also purchase medicines for their health.
Success depends on the layout and design, a patient waiting area, water facilities, and
patient care services like counseling and health screening.
● Growing city extensions: These are good sites because people in such areas find it
difficult to go to the market for emergency medicine. A pharmacy with facilities for patient
waiting, counseling, and health screening will attract customers.
● Close to a railway station or bus station: These locations are considered good for
opening pharmacies. Commuters may require immediate relief for acute conditions like
diarrhea, common colds, or body aches.
Other important criteria to consider for a site:
● Parking space in front of the pharmacy.
● Visibility of the pharmacy.
● Opportunity for future expansion of the existing space.
● Clear negotiations with the landlord regarding rent or lease.
● Facilities for temperature control for thermo-labile medicines.
● Separate storage for poison and Schedule X drugs.
Space Layout and Design
In the modern era, clients give importance to quality services, interiors, and ambiance. A new
work system and facility design are essential to optimize the use of space and personnel time,
allowing pharmacists to increase patient care services without adding staff.
Objectives of a good pharmacy layout:
● Attract the maximum number of customers.
● Provide an opportunity for customers to purchase more.
● Create a pleasant ambiance with maximum space utilization.
● Provide customer convenience and satisfaction.
● Minimize salary expenses through layout efficiency and space utilization.
Classification of Pharmacy Design: Based on the layout and design, pharmacies can be
classified as:
● Prescription oriented traditional pharmacy design.
● Super drug store pharmacy design.
● Pharmacy with pharmaceutical care services design.
Prescription Oriented Traditional Pharmacy Design:
● These are traditional drug stores commonly seen in the market or on the street side.
● Their main objective is to serve customers by filling the maximum number of prescriptions
and selling other products.
● The layout typically includes a cash counter for billing and cash collection.
● Products are displayed in racks with support from a salesperson.
● Customer choice, selection, and amenities are very limited.
● The typical size of such pharmacies is around 200 Sq.ft.
Based on the new set of documents provided, here is a continuation of the brief on space layout
and design. These documents do not contain further information on Site Selection, but they do
provide details on different pharmacy design models and legal requirements for the premises.
Space Layout and Design Models
The layout and design of a pharmacy can be categorized into different models:
● Super Drug Store Pharmacy Design:
○ These designs are more common in the western world.
○ They offer the opportunity to purchase both prescription and other health care items
like cosmetics, baby care products, and other fast-moving consumer goods.
○ Separate counters are present for prescription drugs, other health care products,
and cosmetics.
○ The pharmacy layout is arranged to attract more customers with increased,
perceptible displays and storage before the prescription counter.
○ The design aims to combine business volume with prescription items, sales of
general items, and consultations.
● Pharmacy with Pharmaceutical Care Services Design:
○ The main goal of this design is to achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes by
offering patient-oriented services.
○ The design should have a separate patient counseling area along with displays of
patient information materials.
○ Other health care items are also arranged with sales man service.
○ The wrapping and billing counter should be at the entrance.
● Optimum Design Characteristics of a Pharmacy:
○ The pharmacy should be well-illuminated with special light, using professional
colors to create a pleasant and soothing feeling for customers.
○ It should be properly ventilated or air-conditioned with an appealing look.
○ Basic amenities for customers are essential, including a waiting area with seating,
drinking water, and washroom facilities.
○ A separate counter should be created for prescription medicines, with facilities for
the waiting customer.
Legal Requirements for Pharmacy Premises
● To start a community pharmacy, one must comply with the provisions of the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940.
● A separate pharmaceutical care service for patient care, a special counseling cubicle with
health screening service equipment should be made available.
● Health care items, toiletries, and gifts should be displayed in a separate corner with sales
person assisted services.
● Adequate fixtures and furniture must be made in the design of pharmacies for stocking all
varieties of medicines.
Here are the main points regarding space layout and design models for pharmacies, as well as
legal requirements for pharmacy premises:
Space Layout and Design Models
● Super Drug Store Pharmacy Design:
○ Common in the Western world.
○ Sells prescription drugs and other healthcare items (cosmetics, baby care,
FMCG).
○ Features separate counters for different product categories.
○ Layout designed to attract customers with increased displays before the
prescription counter.
○ Aims to combine business volume from prescriptions, general items, and
consultations.
● Pharmacy with Pharmaceutical Care Services Design:
○ Focuses on achieving desired therapeutic outcomes through patient-oriented
services.
○ Requires a separate patient counseling area and patient information displays.
○ Healthcare items are arranged with sales staff assistance.
○ Wrapping and billing counter should be at the entrance.
● Optimum Design Characteristics of a Pharmacy:
○ Well-illuminated with special lighting and professional colors for a pleasant
atmosphere.
○ Properly ventilated or air-conditioned with an appealing look.
○ Includes basic customer amenities: waiting area with seating, drinking water, and
washroom facilities.
○ Features a separate counter for prescription medicines with waiting facilities for
customers.
Legal Requirements for Pharmacy Premises
● Must comply with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
● Requires a separate pharmaceutical care service area for patient care, including a
special counseling cubicle with health screening service equipment.
● Healthcare items, toiletries, and gifts should be displayed in a separate corner with sales
person assisted services.
● Adequate fixtures and furniture are necessary for stocking all varieties of medicines.
Based on the new set of documents provided, here is a continuation of the brief on space layout
and design. These documents do not contain further information on Site Selection, but they do
provide details on different pharmacy design models and legal requirements for the premises.
Space Layout and Design Models
The layout and design of a pharmacy can be categorized into different models:
● Super Drug Store Pharmacy Design:
○ These designs are more common in the western world.
○ They offer the opportunity to purchase both prescription and other health care items
like cosmetics, baby care products, and other fast-moving consumer goods.
○ Separate counters are present for prescription drugs, other health care products,
and cosmetics.
○ The pharmacy layout is arranged to attract more customers with increased,
perceptible displays and storage before the prescription counter.
○ The design aims to combine business volume with prescription items, sales of
general items, and consultations.
● Pharmacy with Pharmaceutical Care Services Design:
○ The main goal of this design is to achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes by
offering patient-oriented services.
○ The design should have a separate patient counseling area along with displays of
patient information materials.
○ Other health care items are also arranged with sales man service.
○ The wrapping and billing counter should be at the entrance.
● Optimum Design Characteristics of a Pharmacy:
○ The pharmacy should be well-illuminated with special light, using professional
colors to create a pleasant and soothing feeling for customers.
○ It should be properly ventilated or air-conditioned with an appealing look.
○ Basic amenities for customers are essential, including a waiting area with seating,
drinking water, and washroom facilities.
○ A separate counter should be created for prescription medicines, with facilities for
the waiting customer.
Legal Requirements for Pharmacy Premises
● To start a community pharmacy, one must comply with the provisions of the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940.
● A separate pharmaceutical care service for patient care, a special counseling cubicle with
health screening service equipment should be made available.
● Health care items, toiletries, and gifts should be displayed in a separate corner with sales
person assisted services.
● Adequate fixtures and furniture must be made in the design of pharmacies for stocking all
varieties of medicines.
Here are the main points from the document regarding pharmacy management:
● Staff Requirements:
○ Dispensing of medicines must be supervised by a qualified person (D.Pharm
holder with practical training, registered pharmacist, or Pharm D graduate).
○ Pharm D graduates are eligible to be registered pharmacists and are trained for
overall pharmacy management, including patient services.
○ Pharmacy assistants can be appointed with other qualifications like 10+2
(science).
● Materials-Coding and Stocking Methods:
○ Medicines should be arranged properly for easy location and removal.
○ Methods include:
■ Mnemonic Method: Uses suitable codes for categories of medicines
(e.g., "GI" for Gastro-Intestinal).
■ Scientific Method: Categorizes medicines by therapeutic classification,
with subdivisions (e.g., "Cardiovascular Drugs" into "HTN", then "DU",
"BB", "CCB", "ACEI").
■ Random Method: Arbitrary storage, such as alphabetical or numerical
order of dosage form.
● Procedure to Obtain a Licence:
○ Application to the Drugs Control Department for selling categories A, B, and
Schedule X drugs.
○ Required documents: pharmacy layout (minimum 120 sq. ft.), rent agreement,
proof of refrigerator purchase for Schedule C & C1 drugs, and the name of a
qualified in-charge person.
Of course. Here are the key topics from the document, organized as notes for exam preparation.
Key Exam Points: Pharmacy Management
1. Staff Requirements in a Community Pharmacy
● According to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, all medicines must be dispensed under the
supervision of a qualified person.
● Who is a "Qualified Person"?
○ A person who has completed a 2-year Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) and
undergone 500 hours of practical training.
○ A person with 150 hours of practical training is also eligible to register with the State
Pharmacy Council as a pharmacist.
○ Registered pharmacists are also considered qualified persons.
● Pharmacy Assistants: Individuals with other qualifications, such as 10+2 (science), can
be appointed as pharmacy assistants.
● Pharm D Graduates:
○ Since 2012, Pharm D graduates are eligible to be registered pharmacists.
○ They are trained to manage the pharmacy's overall activities, including patient-
focused services like counseling, health screening, and drug therapy monitoring.
2. Materials-Coding and Stocking Methods
● Principle: When medicines are received from a supplier, the stocks should be arranged
properly in racks for easy location and removal from their carton box at the time of
dispensing.
● Methods of Coding and Stocking:
○ Mnemonic Method:
■ "Mnemonic" means "memory".
■ A suitable code is used for a category of medicines.
■ Example: For medicines used to treat Gastro-Intestinal disorders, the code
"GI" can be used.
○ Scientific Method:
■ Medicines are divided into various categories, such as their therapeutic
classification.
■ Example: The major class "Cardiovascular Drugs" can be subdivided into
"HTN" for hypertension drugs. This is further subdivided into classes like
Diuretics, Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB), or Angiotensin
Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), which can be coded as DU, BB, CCB,
and ACEI respectively.
○ Random Method:
■ This is an arbitrary method.
■ Medicines may be stored in alphabetical order or in the numerical order of
their dosage form.
3. Procedure to Obtain a Licence
● To sell drugs of category A, B, and Schedule X, an applicant must apply to the Drugs
Control Department using a suitable application form.
● Documents to be Attached with the Application:
○ The layout of the pharmacy premises. The minimum area required to start a retail
pharmacy is 120 Sq.ft.
○ The rent agreement between the landlord and the applicant.
○ Invoice or proof of purchase for the refrigerator used for stocking Schedule C & C1
drugs.
○ The name of the in-charge person, who must be a qualified person or a registered
pharmacist.
Here are the main points from the document "Exam point of view":
● Accountancy in Pharmacy:
○ Accounting Cycle: Recording transactions, posting to ledger, preparing final
accounts.
○ Objectives: Knowing profit/loss, understanding financial position
(assets/liabilities), tracking progress, legal compliance.
○ Systems: Cash (records only cash), Mercantile (records all transactions
including receivable/payable for a period), Mixed (combines both).
● Human Relations, Attitude, and Appearance of a Pharmacist:
○ Shift to Patient Focus: Pharmacist as a pharmaceutical care provider, not just a
drug dispenser.
○ Pharmacist's Duties: Analyzing medication safety, identifying
allergies/interactions/contraindications, ensuring proper medicine use.
○ Professionalism: Maintaining a professional attitude, wearing formal attire with
apron and name tag, greeting customers, using courteous language, being
sensitive to cultural and language differences.
● Pharmacy Operations and Technology:
○ Required Registers: Inventory, cash, and ledger.
○ Use of Computers/Software: For communication (email, intranets), prescription
processing, error prevention (checking drug combinations and patient info),
inventory control, and accountancy.
● Key Summary Points about Community Pharmacy:
○ First point of contact for minor ailments and prescriptions.
○ Location and attractive ambiance with patient care facilities increase customer
patronage.
○ Pharmacists must be aware of legal requirements and obtain necessary licenses.
○ Professional attitude and good communication skills positively impact patients.
Here are the key topics from your documents, organized into a study guide format for your exam.
Exam Points: Community Pharmacy Practice & Management
1. Accountancy in Pharmacy
● Accounting Cycle:
○ (a) Recording all business transactions in a primary book like a journal or subsidiary
books.
○ (b) Posting of transactions into the ledger.
○ (c) Preparation of final accounts.
● Objectives of Accountancy:
○ To know the profit and loss of the business during a specific period.
○ To understand the financial position of the business, including its assets and
liabilities.
○ To know the progress of the business.
○ To comply with all legal requirements.
● Systems of Accounting:
○ Cash system: This system only records actual cash receipts and payments of cash
transactions. It does not help in knowing the exact financial position of the business
on a particular day.
○ Mercantile system: Under this system, all transactions relating to a period are
recorded, including income receivable and payable. It gives a complete picture of
the financial transactions and shows the true financial position of the business on a
particular day.
○ Mixed system: This system uses both cash and mercantile systems.
2. Human Relations, Attitude, and Appearance
● Pharmacist's Important Duties (Patient Focus):
○ The concept of pharmacy has shifted from a product focus to a patient focus. The
pharmacist is a pharmaceutical care provider, not just a dispenser of drugs.
○ (a) Analyze the medication's safety by reviewing the patient's past medication and
medical history.
○ (b) Identify any known allergies, drug interactions, or other contraindications for a
given prescription.
○ (c) Ensure that patients use their medicines as medically indicated.
● Attitude and Appearance:
○ Attitude is the overall emotional stance of an individual towards their job, clients,
and colleagues.
○ A pharmacist should look professional, wearing a formal dress with an apron and a
name tag.
○ Greet customers with a smile, make eye contact, and respond politely to their
queries while respecting their privacy.
○ Use common courteous words like "Good Morning," "Have a nice day," "Please,"
and "Thank You".
○ Understand and be sensitive to cultural and language differences of the community.
3. Pharmacy Operations and Technology
● Maintenance of Registers:
○ For the successful operation of a pharmacy, the following registers should be
maintained:
■ (a) Inventory registers
■ (b) Cash register
■ (c) Ledger
● Use of Computers and Software in Pharmacy:
○ Computers are an important tool in all areas of science and technology, including
pharmacy. Applications in community pharmacy include:
■ Communication: Used to facilitate communication with pharmacists and
other staff via email, online messaging, and internal company networks
(intranets).
■ Prescription processing: Invariably one of the main activities in a pharmacy
on a day-to-day basis.
■ Error Prevention: Computer systems can help prevent prescription errors,
potentially saving lives. They can check for combinations of medicines and
check patient information.
■ Inventory control: Pharmacy software is designed to give an accurate stock
position at any point in time and also to give reorder levels.
■ Accountancy: Pharmacy is a business where all transactions are financial in
nature. It is essential to record, classify, and summarize all financial
transactions to know the profit and loss of the business.
4. Key Summary Points
● A community pharmacy is the first point of contact for the public to get treatment for minor
ailments and to receive prescription medicines.
● To have good customer patronage, the pharmacy must be open where public movement
or patients' movement is high.
● A good location and an attractive ambiance with patient care facilities increase customer
patronage.
● Pharmacists must know the legal requirements to open and run the pharmacy. All
licenses should be obtained from regulatory authorities.
● Pharmacists with a professional attitude and good communication skills make a positive
impact on patients.
