Question

What role does a pharmacy play in operations management?

Answer 1

Before being able to explain the role that a pharmacy play’s in operations management, one must first define what a pharmacy is. A pharmacy is defined as a “facility that exists to fill and dispense drugs and medications that are prescribed by physicians or other caregivers” (Langabeer & Helton, 2016, p. 375). The role that a pharmacy plays in operations management includes the following: perpetual inventory, strategic pricing analysis, systems integration, and location and network optimization. Perpetual inventory is defined as “the expansion of the use of information systems to ensure real-time, continuous tracking of inventory through the purchasing, receiving, distribution, dispensing and medication administration workflow” (Langabeer & Helton, 2016, p. 383). This method of control is important as it helps to create a balance within the inventory.