How do I judge a vet clinic’s pharmacy stock and expiry tracking?

Look first at how the pharmacy is kept. Are shelves organized, labelled and easy to scan? Is there a regular routine for pulling short-dated items to the front? A well-run pharmacy usually has a named person and a simple log. A scattered one often has items that nobody can account for.

Then compare the physical stock to the records. Ask for the stock list and the supplier invoices, and look at whether the amount on the shelf is in line with what the clinic sells in a normal period. Overstocked shelves can tie up cash and lead to waste, while thin shelves may mean the clinic is cutting corners or short on money.

Ask what the sale will include. If stock is part of the price, agree how it will be counted on closing day and who will do the count. Expired items should not be counted. Your accountant can advise on treatment of the stock, and your lawyer on how it is written into the agreement. Pay attention to how medications are stored, such as the cold storage and the lock on controlled items. Ask a trusted veterinary advisor what careful handling looks like, and compare it with what you see.

Key takeaways

• Check the shelves against the stock list, and remove expired items from the count.
• Ask who tracks expiry dates and how.
• Agree how stock is counted on closing day.