Inventory Management
Order, track, and protect every dose.
Module overview
Inventory ties up cash, fills the counter with expired bottles, or leaves shelves empty when patients arrive. Good inventory practice keeps the right drug, in the right quantity, at the right time.
What you'll learn
- 01Medication ordering
- 02Inventory tracking
- 03Expiration dates and recalls
- 04Controlled substance inventory
Lessons
Par levels and turnover
Par level = the minimum quantity that should be on hand before reordering, set by historical movement.
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Receiving an order
Verify, count, and document — every shipment, every time.
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Expirations and rotation
FEFO — First Expired, First Out — keeps the soonest-expiring stock at the front.
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Recalls
FDA recall classes rank severity; pharmacies must identify, quarantine, and document affected stock.
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Controlled substance inventory
Biennial inventory required federally; perpetual inventory standard for C-IIs.
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Key terms
- Par level
- Minimum quantity to keep on hand before reordering.
- FEFO
- First Expired, First Out — rotation method to dispense soonest-expiring stock first.
- Perpetual inventory
- Continuous record of stock that updates with each transaction.
- Class I recall
- Most serious recall — reasonable probability of serious harm or death.
Study tool
Flashcards
01 / 19
Click the card to reveal the answer.
Practice questions
- Q1How often is a biennial controlled substance inventory required?
- Q2What does FEFO stand for?
- Q3Which recall class indicates the highest risk to patients?
Weekly study rhythm
- • Watch the module lecture video
- • Complete guided notes and flashcards
- • Take the end-of-lesson quiz
- • Practice pharmacy calculations daily
- • Take a mock exam every two modules