Under the direct supervision of the Medical Activity manager, the Pharmacy Assistant supports the day-to-day management of medicines and medical supplies at the base pharmacy. Responsibilities include receiving, storing, dispensing, recording, monitoring, and reporting on pharmaceutical commodities in accordance with applicable national regulations, MoPH guidelines, and the organization’s pharmacy and supply-management procedures. The postholder helps ensure the availability, appropriate storage, rational use, and accountability of medicines and medical supplies.
3. Key Responsibilities and Duties
A. Pharmacy and Stock Management
· Receive medicines and medical supplies and verify quantities, specifications, expiry dates, and physical condition against delivery documents.
· Ensure proper storage of medicines and medical supplies in line with recommended storage conditions and temperature requirements.
· Maintain updated stock cards, bin cards, stock registers, and other relevant pharmacy records.
· Apply First Expiry, First Out (FEFO) and, where appropriate, First In, First Out (FIFO) principles when organizing and issuing stock.
· Regularly monitor stock levels and promptly inform the pharmacy officer or relevant supervisor about potential stock-outs, overstocking, and near-expiry medicines.
· Conduct regular physical stock counts and reconcile discrepancies between physical stock and recorded balances.
· Segregate and document expired, damaged, or unusable medicines and support their disposal in accordance with approved procedures.
· Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and security of the pharmacy and medicine-storage areas.
B. Documentation and Reporting
· Maintain accurate and up-to-date pharmacy consumption records and dispensing registers.
· Prepare regular reports on medicine consumption, stock balances, and pharmaceutical needs.
· Support the preparation of monthly medicine orders and replenishment requests based on consumption patterns and available stock.
· Immediately report discrepancies, losses, suspected misuse, and other irregularities to the relevant supervisor.
· Maintain proper documentation of medicine receipts, issues, transfers, returns, and adjustments.
· Support internal and external pharmacy audits, inventory exercises, and monitoring visits.
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C. Quality Assurance and Compliance
· Follow applicable MoPH pharmaceutical guidance, national essential medicines lists, and organizational pharmacy procedures.
· Monitor and promptly report suspected adverse drug reactions, medication errors, or dispensing incidents to responsible medical personnel.
· Ensure that medicines requiring special storage conditions, including cold-chain products where applicable, are stored and monitored appropriately.
· Maintain confidentiality of patient information and pharmacy records.
· Promote the rational use of medicines and prevent unauthorized access to pharmaceutical products.
· Immediately report suspected counterfeit, substandard, damaged, or improperly labelled medicines.