Standard Operating Procedure for Inventory Control and Stock Rotation

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to establish guidelines for the effective inventory control and stock rotation of pharmaceutical products within the manufacturing facility. This SOP aims to ensure that the oldest stock is used first (first-in-first-out, FIFO), minimize product expiry, prevent stock outs, and maintain accurate inventory records.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel involved in inventory management, stock handling, and product distribution, including warehouse staff, production supervisors, and quality control personnel.

3. Responsibilities

• Warehouse Staff: Responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, ensuring proper stock rotation, and conducting regular cycle counts.
• Production Supervisor: Responsible for overseeing stock usage during the production process and ensuring adherence to the FIFO principle.
• Quality Control (QC) Personnel: Responsible for conducting periodic checks to verify the accuracy of inventory records and compliance with this SOP.
• Materials Management Team: Responsible for coordinating with procurement and ensuring timely stock replenishment.

4. Procedure

4.1 Inventory Control:

• Maintain a centralized inventory management system that tracks the movement of pharmaceutical products from receipt to distribution.
• Assign unique identification numbers or codes to each product batch and link them to their corresponding expiry dates.
• Update the inventory records in real-time after each receipt, movement, or usage of products to maintain accuracy.
• Conduct regular cycle counts to verify the physical inventory against the documented records and address any discrepancies promptly.
• Use electronic inventory tracking systems whenever possible to reduce manual errors and improve efficiency.

4.2 Stock Rotation (FIFO Principle):

• Arrange the pharmaceutical products in the warehouse using the FIFO principle, where the oldest stock is placed in front and used first.
• Ensure that the products with the earliest expiry dates are selected and used during the production process.
• During stock replenishment, place newly received batches behind existing stock to maintain the proper rotation.
• Periodically check the warehouse shelves for expired or soon-to-expire products and segregate them for timely disposal.

4.3 Stock Replenishment:

• Coordinate with the materials management team to ensure timely procurement of pharmaceutical products to prevent stock outs.
• Verify the received products against the purchase order and packing list to ensure accuracy and product integrity.
• Update the inventory records to reflect the newly received stock and its corresponding expiry dates.
• Place the newly received stock in the appropriate storage location following the FIFO principle.

5. Abbreviations

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
FIFO: First-In-First-Out
QC: Quality Control

6. Documents

The following documents are relevant to this SOP:

• Inventory Management System User Manual
• Inventory Records and Cycle Count Logs
• Stock Replenishment and Procurement Procedures

7. References

No specific external references are required for this SOP as it is based on internal company procedures and industry best practices.

8. SOP Version

This is version 1.0 of the SOP for Inventory Control and Stock Rotation, effective as of [Insert Date].