What should I ask about a naturopathic clinic’s in-house dispensary inventory?

Begin with a walk through the dispensary. Look at the shelves, the storage conditions and the labels. Ask who orders, who receives, and who decides what to carry. A dispensary with a simple, regular routine is easier to take over than one run on habit.

Then ask about the counts. When was the last full count, and how did it compare with the records? Ask for a list of slow-moving items and what the clinic does with them. Check dates yourself on a sample of products, and ask what happens when something is past its date.

Finally, discuss how stock is handled in the sale. Some deals include it at cost on the closing date; others leave it out. Agree who counts, who attends, and what is done with items that cannot be sold. Ask whether any stock is on consignment or borrowed from a supplier. Your accountant should guide how the stock is treated, and your lawyer should see how it is written into the agreement. Ask whether the dispensary is a steady part of the clinic or a convenience, and how clients react when an item is out of stock. That tells you how much the shelf matters to the practice.

Key takeaways

• Ask who orders, receives and decides what to carry.
• Check dates on a sample and ask about slow movers.
• Agree how stock is counted and treated at closing.