Community pharmacy Management- Selection of site, space layout and Design

COMMUNITY PHARMACY MANAGEMENT

A) Selection of Site, Space Layout, and Design

Introduction

India’s large and growing population faces many health challenges due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited medical facilities. This leads to a high burden of infectious diseases (malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, gastroenteritis, helminthic infections, AIDS/STDs) and nutritional disorders (anemia, vitamin deficiencies).

Urban areas also face lifestyle-related diseases like COPD, hypertension, diabetes, liver diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders due to habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and chewing gutka/pan masala.

Most people first visit a nearby medical store/community pharmacy for primary care before consulting a doctor. Community pharmacies (commonly called medical shops) play an important role by:

• Providing the right medication with proper advice
• Conducting awareness programs
• Offering counselling and health promotion services

A Community Pharmacy is a place where medicines are stored and dispensed under the supervision of a qualified, registered pharmacist—based on a prescription or, when allowed, without one.

Community pharmacy is both a professional service and a business. Its success depends on key factors:

• Location/site selection
• Space layout and design
• Proper product display
• Pharmacy staff approach and communication
• Quality of patient care services

Site Selection — Brief Notes

Community pharmacy is both a profession and a business, so choosing the right location is essential. A good site ensures steady prescription flow, while a poor location can lead to losses.

Before Starting a Pharmacy

The pharmacist should conduct a macro survey of the area:

• Population size
• Number of nearby doctors/clinics
• Existing medical stores
• Presence of hospitals
• Demand for medicines and healthcare services

Pharmacy business largely depends on prescription flow from:

• Attached doctor
• Nearby clinics
• Hospitals
• Walk-in (floating) prescriptions

Best Sites for a Pharmacy

1. Attached to a clinic
2. Near multiple clinics
3. Near a hospital
4. Busy market area
5. Growing residential areas
6. Near railway/bus stations

1) Pharmacy Attached to a Clinic

Most ideal location.
Advantages:

• Regular and steady prescription flow
• Doctors may allow substitution if a brand is unavailable
• Patients treat the pharmacist as a first point of contact
• Builds trust and long-term customer retention

2) Pharmacy Near Multiple Clinics

Also a good option.
Advantages:

• Good number of prescriptions from general practitioners
• Higher OTC (over-the-counter) sales potential
• Better doctor–pharmacist rapport
• Opportunity to offer services like counseling, drug therapy management, and health screening
• Improves business growth and professional image

Here is a brief and simple version of the content:

3) Near a Hospital

Opening a pharmacy near a government or private hospital can give high prescription flow.
Advantages:

• Large number of prescriptions
• High sales volume

Disadvantages:

• Need to maintain a wide range of brands and products
• Higher inventory cost
• Less rapport with doctors
• Limited scope for brand substitution

4) In a Busy Market

Busy markets are good locations because of heavy public movement. People may buy medicines along with other shopping.
Such pharmacies depend mainly on floating prescriptions.

Success factors:

• Good layout and design
• Waiting area, drinking water
• Counseling and health screening services
• Occasional discounts

Pharmacies in malls and near cinemas also perform well.

5) Growing Residential Areas

Newly developing city extensions are suitable for pharmacy setup because residents need quick access to medicines.

Benefits:

• High demand for emergency and routine medicines
• Opportunity to offer counseling, screening, and patient education
• Chronic patients (diabetes, asthma) benefit from detailed guidance
• Health camps and promotion programs help build customer loyalty

This location offers great scope for pharmaceutical care services.

6) Close to Railway Station or Bus Station

These locations are good for opening pharmacies because travelers often need quick relief for acute conditions (diarrhea, cold, pain, etc.).
Advantages:

• High floating prescriptions
• Acute-condition prescriptions
• High demand for generic medicines
• Good scope for fast-moving OTC products

Other Important Factors in Site Selection

Pharmacists should also consider:

• Parking space availability
• Traffic flow and accessibility
• Good visibility of the shop
• Future expansion possibility
• Affordable rent or lease terms
• Temperature control for sensitive medicines
• Separate storage for poisons and Schedule X drugs

SPACE LAYOUT AND DESIGN (Brief Notes)

Modern customers prefer pharmacies that offer quick service, good interiors, and a pleasant ambiance. A good layout improves workflow, increases sales, and enhances patient care.

Goals of a Good Pharmacy Layout

• Attract more customers
• Encourage more purchases
• Provide comfort and convenience
• Create pleasant and clean ambiance
• Efficient use of space
• Reduce extra staffing costs
• Support professional services (counselling, screening)

Modern Work System

• Pharmacist: reviews prescriptions, checks work, dispenses, counsels
• Technicians: enter data, prepare medicines, support workflow

Types of Pharmacy Layouts

a) Prescription-Oriented Traditional Pharmacy

• Common street-side/market pharmacies
• Focus on: filling maximum prescriptions
• Simple cash counter, basic racks
• Limited customer choice
• Minimal amenities
• Area ~ 200 sq. ft
• Mainly salesperson-dependent service

b) Super Drug Store Pharmacy Design — Brief Notes

Super drug store designs are common in Western countries. These pharmacies offer both prescription and non-prescription (OTC) products.

Key Features

• Separate prescription counter
• Salesman-supported counters for:
• Health care items
• Cosmetics
• Baby care products
• Gift items
• A separate storage area for collected goods
• Attractive design to increase customer flow
• High purchasing temptation due to wider product display

Business Advantage

Along with prescription sales, general items and OTC products significantly increase business volume.

c) Pharmacy With Pharmaceutical Care Services — Brief Notes

This design focuses on pharmaceutical care, meaning responsible drug therapy management to achieve desired therapeutic goals.

Key Features

• Separate patient care area for counselling
• Space for health screening services (BP, sugar, etc.)
• Display sections for:

·       

• Medicines
• Health care items
• Toiletries
• Baby care items
• Salesman-supported counters
• Prescription counter, clearly separated
• Wrapping and billing counter at the entrance

Professional Advantage

This setup supports advanced services such as:

• Patient education
• Medication therapy management
• Better patient–pharmacist interaction
• Enhanced trust and improved patient outcomes

3. OPTIMUM DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS OF A PHARMACY

1. Appearance

• Light professional colors
• Good ventilation or air-conditioning
• Proper lighting and pleasant fragrance

2. Customer Amenities

• Seating area
• Health magazines
• Drinking water
• Washroom
• Optional coffee/espresso facility

3. Professional Requirements

• Separate prescription counter
• Counselling cubicle with screening equipment
• Adequate racks and fixtures for organized stocking
• Separate display for toiletries, health items, and gift items

✅ (B) 1-PAGE QUICK REVISION NOTES

(Ultra-short for last-minute study)

SITE SELECTION – QUICK POINTS

• Attached to clinic → best prescription flow
• Near clinics → OTC + trust building
• Near hospital → high prescriptions, wide stock needed
• Busy markets → floating prescriptions, OTC sales
• Growing city areas → emergency access + community programs
• Bus/Railway stations → acute medicines + generics
• Consider parking, visibility, expansion, rent, temperature control

LAYOUT AND DESIGN – QUICK POINTS

• Goal: attract customers + fast service + comfort
• Good lighting, ventilation, professional colors
• Waiting area, magazines, water, washroom
• Separate counters for prescription and non-prescription
• Counselling area + health screening
• Adequate racks and storage

DESIGN TYPES – QUICK POINTS

Traditional Pharmacy:

• Small, basic, prescription-focused, limited amenities

Super Drug Store:

• Multiple counters, cosmetics, baby care, gifts, attractive ambience

Pharmaceutical Care Pharmacy:

• Counselling room, screening area, display sections, professional setup