Trusts

Understanding principles of medicines inventory management

13 January 2026Our advice to help NHS secondary care pharmacy procurement teams manage inventory of medicines.

Managing stock of critical medicines

13 January 2026Essential medicines that must be held in stock or risk assessed for alternatives if unavailable.

Reconciling stock in automated storage systems

13 January 2026Highlighting the importance of maintaining a closed system, monitoring and restricting access to minimise errors and discrepancies.

Managing expired stock and decommissioned products

13 January 2026Advice on how to manage expired stock and decommissioning of medicines.

Managing high frequency order lines

13 January 2026Advice on optimising pharmacy systems to balance storage capacity, supply and demand.

Completing regular and annual stock checks

13 January 2026Emphasising the value in committing time to robust stock management processes

Managing high value medicines

13 January 2026Medicines can be seen as a liability or an asset. High value medicines should have regular stock checks to ensure stock holding is accurate.

Monitoring slow moving stock and rarely used medicines

13 January 2026It is important to hold medicines in date and identify where usage of medicines has changed or are only required on an irregular basis.

Managing medicines inventory

13 January 2026Approaches to maintain accurate medicines inventory and investigate incorrect stock levels by secondary care pharmacy procurement teams.

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Navigating a potential supply issue

12 January 2026Recommendations for secondary care pharmacy procurement teams to follow before escalating a supply issue or shortage to the SPS Regional Procurement Team.