Cost analysis of standard operating procedures in community pharmacies

Abstract

Objective: The objectives were to compile Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for processes undertaken in community pharmacies and to assess and compare the financial implications of implementing these SOPs. Method: Two community pharmacies of different sizes were identified using purposive sampling. Eighty hours of non-participant and participant observation were conducted in both pharmacies and 5 SOPs were compiled. The 5 SOPs compiled were: Temperature Monitoring and Control, Inward Order: Specified Drugs for Dangerous Drugs (DDA), Inward Order: Cold Chain Product, Housekeeping and Pest Control. The SOPs were psychometrically evaluated for content validity by a focus group. Readability of the SOPs was tested by means of the Gunning Fog Index. The capital, recurrent and total expenditure involved for implementing each SOP in the two pharmacies were calculated and compared. Key findings: The average Gunning Fog Index was 14.73 years. This index gives an indication of number of years of education that a person needs to be able to understand the text easily on the first reading. Total expenditure for implementing the SOPs was expected to be higher in the larger pharmacy (pharmacy B) than in the smaller pharmacy (pharmacy A). This was confirmed for 3 of the 5 SOPs compiled. Conclusion: The cost for implementing the majority of the SOPs for both pharmacies was negligible and most probably their implementation would have a minimal financial impact on the profit of pharmacy.