ABC, VED, and ABC-VED Matrix Analyses for Inventory Management in Community Pharmacies: A Case Study

Abstract

Inventory control methods should be used effectively in community pharmacies to determine and obtain the needs for pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical products at appropriate times and with proper procedures. An effective stock control provides positive outputs in the community pharmacy’s economy, the quality of the service to be provided, and the pharmacy’s image. In this context, within the scope of this study, it aims to evaluate ABC, VED, and ABC-VED matrix analyses in terms of community pharmacies. In the study, ABC, VED, and ABC-VED matrix analyzes were applied using the inventorydata of a community pharmacy serving in the city center of Van for the 2019-2020 financial year. For this purpose, firstly, annual consumption and expenditure data for each pharmacy item specified for the 2019-2020 financial year were collected. The data were then transferred to an MS Excel spreadsheet, and statistical analysis was performed using MS Excel statistical functions. As a result of ABC-VED analysis, it was determined that the drugs in the first category were of great importance for effective stock control, the drugs in the second category were of medium importance, and the drugs in the third category were of low importance. They are because the pharmacy from which the research data is taken is close to the family health center and the socioeconomic structure of the pharmacy’s environment. This categorization is thought to be appropriate.