Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Practice Test

What term is used to describe the practice of placing newer items at the front of a shelf in a pharmacy?

1. Inventory management

2. Stock rotation

3. Expiration tracking

4. Product organization

The correct answer is: Stock rotation

The term that describes the practice of placing newer items at the front of a shelf in a pharmacy is stock rotation. This method is crucial in ensuring that older medications are dispensed first while newer stock is positioned behind them. This practice is essential in managing pharmaceuticals effectively, especially since many medications have expiration dates that could lead to inventory becoming unusable if not managed properly. By implementing stock rotation, pharmacies can minimize waste, reduce the risk of dispensing expired products, and ensure that patients receive medications that are both safe and effective. Other terms like inventory management and expiration tracking relate to the broader aspects of pharmaceutical stock control but do not specifically refer to the physical arrangement of products on shelves. Product organization generally encompasses a wider array of sorting and categorization strategies beyond the specific movement of items based on their age and expiration status. Thus, stock rotation stands out as the precise term for this practice.