Modern pharmacy shelving is endlessly adaptable because of its modular construction, so that you can mix and match components to get exactly what you need.
You may not need to replace all of your current pharmacy shelving with new, but consider these practical and efficient upgrades that will make it easier to organize and display your merchandise; it may protect you from liability, too:
Replace old shelving with new gondola shelving, end caps, and slatted gondola units, as applicable
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Gondola shelving and endcaps
Gondola shelving is your go-to for pharmacy shelving. Sturdy and made of steel, its heavy-duty construction and adjustable shelves render it both utterly reliable and configurable to your needs.
The gondola shelving unit's "partner" is the endcap; extend a gondola shelving display with an endcap, or place them at the ends of department aisles to display "hot" items or products that are seasonal or on sale. While you can reconfigure them as needed to change your store layout, gondola shelving and endcaps are meant to stay in one place.
New gondola shelving and endcaps come in a variety of colors and styles, so that you can match your store's decor easily. Updating them will make it easier for you to create attractive displays easily, which will in turn entice your customers to buy.
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Slatted gondola units
There is another option in pharmacy shelving, and that is the slatted gondola unit. This shelving option is lighter weight than its similarly named counterpart, and isn't suitable for heavy-duty use – but you can use one wherever you need to display smaller items that your customers often stop by for, like toothbrushes, over-the-counter medications, etc. These units have a variety of storage and display options available, like hooks and baskets in addition to standard shelving, for oddly shaped or small merchandise. You can also put slatted gondola units on wheels, so that you can move them about as you need to without disassembly.
Make sure shelving and fixtures have security options when needed
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Because of updated HIPAA regulations
New HIPAA requirements in effect as of September 23, 2013 require you to keep patients' personal health information or PHI completely secure. You'll need to secure and restrict who has access to devices (including portable ones) that can access patients' PHI. In addition to requiring secure login procedures and authentication, you may need to invest in locking pharmacy shelving and fixtures to store them when not in use.
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To protect controlled substances from theft
OxyContin, Vicodin, and other controlled substances are prime targets for prescription theft. To keep them out of unauthorized hands and protect your own safety, make sure you invest in pharmacy shelving options that lock so that you, your customers, and medications' stocks are protected.
Make the best use of space in your stockroom with mobile shelving
Mobile shelving, or a "carriage system," is a shelving unit(s) on wheels. This lets you move the shelving unit about the floor freely just by pushing it. Alternatively, you can place units on tracks, as your situation requires.
Mobile shelving lets you vertically "stack" units in your stockroom very close together so that you can use your space most efficiently. When you need to access something on a shelving unit, you simply move it, ask what you need, and then push it back into place. This type of system can give you 50% more space without increasing your stock room's square footage.
These practical and efficient upgrades for your pharmacy shelving can help you organize and access inventory efficiently, refresh your store's look, and ensure that you are up-to-date with security requirements.
