First expiry, first out
The newest box usually ends up at the front because it was put there last. First expiry first out means the nearest date sells first, whichever arrived first. On the shelf that means shelving behind; in software it means the sale chooses the lot.
The going-off list
| Days left | What to do |
|---|---|
| 90 | Stop reordering it; move it forward; tell the staff |
| 60 | Ask the distributor about a return, while they still take it |
| 30 | Send it back, or sell it first where that is right |
| 0 | Take it off the shelf, keep it apart, mark it not for sale, and write it off |
What a list is worth
Check your distributor’s return terms, because many accept returns only within a window before the date.
What the rules say
Rule 65(17) of the Drugs Rules, 1945 bars selling or stocking a drug after its date of expiry. A state pharmacy council’s guidance tells chemists to keep expired stock in separate cartons marked “Not for Sale”. Rules on bills and registers depend on the schedule of the drug, so read them for yourself or ask your drug inspector or lawyer. This page is a working guide.
Strips and loose tablets
Selling a single tablet makes stock hard to keep by hand. Count in the smallest unit you sell (tablets), and treat a strip as a number of them, so one loose sale does not throw off the shelf.
Counting
- Count the costly and fast-moving items weekly, and everything by section in rotation.
- Check dates while counting: it is the one time someone holds every box.
- Write down each difference with a reason.