Literature Review Of Related Literature On Inventory Management

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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This section deals with the review of related literature from different sources of study such as journals, books and websites. This covers the discussion on inventory management and inventory management methods of pharmacies.
Inventory Management
Inventory management plays an important role in overall efficiency and competitiveness of a business and has an important influence on operating performance of the enterprises. Inventory management includes the processes of purchase, acceptance, storage, custody, and sales, which involves both technical approaches, the management system and mechanism (Jiao & Li, 2012).
In the study of Ayad (2011) inventory management is a continuing process of planning, organizing …show more content…

The visual method implies the designated personnel to visually compare the stock on hand with a listing of the amount of products that should be carried. The pharmacist places a purchasing order when the stock number falls below the desired listed amount. The periodic method requires the designated personnel to count the stock and compare it with a listing of minimum desired level of the inventory on regular basis at predetermined periods of time. When the quantities fall below the minimum amount, the products are ordered. The perpetual inventory management method is the common efficient method to manage pharmacy inventory. It involves a computerized system that monitors the inventory all the time on a continuous systematic basis. In this system, the inventory on hand is entered into the computer software, and the appropriate amount of products is automatically reduced from the inventory when a prescription order is filled. Ayad also said that pharmacists can employ a mix of methods, for example conducting annual physical count while maintaining a computerized system. Pharmacist can compare the quantities of products in computer with what is actually on shelves. By this approach, potential variances due to fluctuations in supply and demand will be identified and corrected, and the accuracy of pharmacy's financial records will …show more content…

In absence of computer this system was extremely time consuming and only as accurate as the information collected. Computers made the system into the most accurate and effective inventory system. All pharmacy software is capable in using a perpetual inventory control system. In present, due to large amount of work to set up and maintain, as each item in the inventory had to be entered into the system. Bar code scanning made these steps easy by scanning into the system using the UPC code or invoice, and pricing information will be updated. The on-hand quantity must be verified with a physical count to ensure accuracy. The entire inventory is normally counted at least yearly but most pharmacies will do a physical check of high-cost or fast-moving items more frequently. However, one of the critical pieces of information in this type of system is the reorder point. Inventory level is recognized based on demand that should be maintained for each product (Connors,

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