How Your Contractor Can Help with the Planning Stages of Pharmacy Construction

Are you building a new pharmacy or remodeling an existing one? If so, you'll need help with the planning and construction stages.

Can your contractor really help you plan your pharmacy? Yes, if they have the following:

• Your trust – and plenty of experience. If you have a trusted contractor who has helped with pharmacy planning in the past, you can certainly use them again if they've kept up with industry developments and changes that affect planning. Remember, even if you've been through this process before, there are many specifics to pharmacy design that you may not know intricate details about – even if you have had significant previous experience with planning and construction.
   
• Intimate knowledge of all industry regulations, including clean room and HIPAA regulations. Keep in mind that in addition to plenty of previous experience, your contractor will also need to be up-to-date on industry regulations – including new FDA oversights – that will affect planning and building.
   
• Oversight and direction of architectural firm that specializes in pharmacy planning. If your contractor is not fully versed in industry regulations and compliance, an alternative may be to hire an architectural firm that specializes in pharmacy planning.
   
• Full understanding of the impact of shelving on pharmacy profitability over the long haul. Cutting corners on the shelving stage may seem like a non-issue while your mind is on the construction aspect, but it can have serious consequences on the long term health of your business. Without this step you could find yourself discovering costly mistakes have been made before you even open for business.

Take a hands on approach with a team of professionals 

Once you've hired an expert builder, that doesn't mean your job is done. You can't simply sit back and let the work progress without you. Why? Because while your contractor or architect may be skilled at structural code compliance and can certainly give you a finished project that has plenty of aesthetic appeal, even the best will often not have the expertise to know how to create a space that addresses the finer points of your business – for instance, how pharmacy shelving and store layout can impact theft and shrinkage.

Additionally, you will have a better understanding of how to determine your pharmacy workflow needs and can focus on taking factors like budget into account before committing to actual construction. The pharmacy should be built around these considerations. Once you peek into the future, it becomes obvious that shelving choices that can easily end up overlooked in the initial excitement of construction should get a lot more of your attention before you've committed to a final budget figure.

Plan for optimal workflow and minimum distraction

When you discuss plans, make sure you budget for enough space, a proper design, and the right pharmacy shelving for optimal workflow. HIPAA privacy regulations will need to be addressed, and the layout of the work area will need to be constructed to avoid distractions; include an enclosed space to do prescription fills and refills.

Plan with your customers in mind

Budget for enough retail space and for a variety of pharmacy shelving components so that you can set up an endless variety of displays and shelving configurations to keep customers' attention. Mix and match shelving with new décor, and create a pleasant environment that will keep them coming back. Pharmacy shelving is an investment that will pay you back in profits for years.

You will also save money with this approach because you won't need to actually construct a floor layout. Instead, you can leave the floor plan of your retail space open. One example would be to establish its configuration with always-reliable gondola shelving, which you can rearrange whenever you need to. Establish a footpath that meanders counterclockwise throughout the store; this way, customers can see every bit of merchandise you have to offer just by virtue of walking through the store.

Leave nothing to chance. Discuss and plan out every last detail of your budget with your contractor and/or architect and take the additional step of involving shelving vendors and even your wholesaler during the planning – before construction begins.