Equipping a hospital pharmacy is not just about dispensing pills. It is about designing a space that is smart, efficient, and safe. Whether you are launching a new pharmacy or upgrading an existing one, the right combination of medical equipment, casework, and shelving lays the foundation for everything from timely medication delivery to compounding life-saving treatments.
This post will offer practical considerations for planning and equipping a hospital pharmacy.
But first, let’s review the unique needs and regulatory bodies associated with a hospital pharmacy.
Unlike retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies operate 24/7 to process urgent, high-volume, and often specialized medication requirements. Their infrastructure must support speed, precision, and continuous coordination with other departments, while simultaneously complying with a host of federal and state regulations.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA regulates the approval and classification of drugs and biologicals. It also oversees the manufacturing of compounded medications.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): The DEA regulates controlled substances through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which covers all aspects of manufacturing, ordering, storage, dispensing, and destruction of these substances.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA protects patient medical information and mandates privacy for patient data.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS sets Conditions of Participation (CoPs) that hospitals must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. These CoPs include specific requirements for pharmaceutical services.
State Pharmacy Acts and Board of Pharmacy Regulations: Each state has its own pharmacy acts and board of pharmacy regulations that govern pharmacy operations, including licensing, scope of practice, medication storage, labeling, and safety.
State Controlled Substance Acts: Many states have their own controlled substance acts and regulations that may be more stringent than federal laws.
Joint Commission: The Joint Commission provides performance guidelines to drive sustainable improvements in patient safety, quality, and operational reliability for pharmacies, including compliance with USP standards (like USP <795> and <797>).
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP): ASHP establishes standards and guidelines for pharmaceutical services in hospitals, such as the Minimum Standard for Pharmacies in Hospitals, which addresses areas like patient confidentiality, drug information, and medication safety.
United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP): USP promulgates pharmacy practice procedures and official standards for drugs and drug testing.
Every inch of the pharmacy should support a logical workflow - from receiving medications to storage, dispensing, and delivery. Safety protocols for hazardous drugs, contamination prevention, and temperature-sensitive medications must all be built into the layout.
A well-designed pharmacy layout should flow like a well-oiled machine. The goal? Minimize unnecessary steps for staff with clear pathways between workstations to reduce unnecessary movement and increase productivity.
Separate the pick-up areas from operational zones. That means clearly defining prescription drop-off/pick-up and back-of-house workflows.
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) plays a significant role in supporting hospital pharmacies with precise planning and layout capabilities. Here is how:
Like medical exam rooms in clinics, hospital pharmacy space is typically divided into specific zones. These zones are designed to address workflow, contamination risk, and regulatory standards (like USP <797> and USP <800>).
Here are the key zones of a hospital pharmacy:
This space is divided into multiple sub-zones based on medication type and requirements:
Custom medications are prepared in this specialized area.
Sterile Compounding Area (Cleanroom): For IVs, injectables, and other sterile preparations. Includes:
Non-Sterile Compounding Area: For oral suspensions, topical creams, etc., not requiring sterility.
In this section of the hospital pharmacy, medications are picked, labeled, and packed for delivery to patients or care units. Typically, this area is equipped with:
Here pharmacists review medication orders, check for interactions, and perform clinical tasks at workstations commonly located ‘off the beaten’ track in more secluded areas.
This zone is designed for the safe disposal of expired, unused, or hazardous drugs. Healthcare equipment for this space includes:
Each of these zones is designed with workflow efficiency, staff safety, and regulatory compliance in mind. The layout ensures that cross-contamination is minimized, sensitive medications are stored appropriately, and pharmacists can work efficiently to support patient care.
Equipping a pharmacy is about more than just filling space - it is about creating a clean, efficient, compliant, and staff-friendly environment. With the right combination of essential medical equipment, smart casework, and adaptive shelving, you can turn even a small footprint into a high-functioning environment.
Hospital pharmacies are specialized environments. The equipment found in a hospital pharmacy supports a wide range of functions - from inventory management and sterile compounding to clinical review and medication distribution.
Here is a representative list of healthcare equipment commonly found in hospital pharmacies. It must be remembered that while there is some standardization across hospital pharmacies, the actual equipment may differ from facility to facility.
Pharmacy Shelving is often modular and constructed of steel or polymer with antimicrobial coatings. Adjustable shelves for storing medications by category or frequency of use is an essential feature.
Locking Cabinets are the go-to for controlled substances and high-risk medications. These cabinets typically feature digital or keyed locks for secure access.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are robotic systems that help improve accuracy, reduce retrieval time, and save space.
Refrigerators and Freezers are used for temperature-sensitive drugs, vaccines, and biologics and often feature temperature logging and alarms for deviations.
Laminar Airflow Workbenches (LAFWs) are used for non-hazardous sterile compounding in an ISO Class 5 environment.
Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are required for hazardous drug compounding under USP <800>.
Compounding Aseptic Isolators (CAIs) / Containment Isolators (CACIs) are closed systems that reduce contamination risk during sterile compounding.
Automated Compounding Devices (ACDs) ensure IV nutrition and medications are precisely mixed.
Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) dispense medications on-demand and help improve control and traceability in nursing units.
Pill Counters and Tablet Dispensers ensure speed and accuracy in counting solid oral medications.
Blister Packaging Machines are used for unit-dose packaging commonly required for inpatient care.
Label Printers and Barcode Scanners print patient-specific medication labels and assist with inventory tracking.
Computer Workstations are necessary for pharmacist verification, order entry, and inventory control.
Pharmacy Management Software tracks medication use, manages inventory, and integrates with EHR systems.
Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) Systems help ensure the "five rights": right patient, drug, dose, time, and route.
Cleanroom Furniture includes non-porous, easy to disinfect stainless steel tables, stools, and shelving.
Garbing Stations for gowning, gloving, and donning PPE before entering sterile areas.
Pass-Through Chambers are used to transfer medications and supplies without breaking cleanroom airflow.
Environmental Monitoring Equipment monitors air pressure, temperature, humidity, and particle counts.
Narcotic Safes are specialized heavy-duty safes for high-schedule medications that may include biometric access.
DEA-Compliant Inventory Systems track use, access, and reconciliation of controlled substances.
Negative Pressure Rooms are required for hazardous drug storage and compounding.
Closed-System Transfer Devices (CSTDs) are designed to prevent exposure when transferring hazardous drugs.
Specialized Waste Disposal Units used for cytotoxic, biohazard, and sharps waste. These specialized waste disposal units are often color-coded and sealed.
Desks and Workstations are used for clinical and administrative pharmacy tasks.
Mobile Medication Carts are essential for transporting meds to patient rooms or units and often feature lockable drawers.
Think of casework for pharmacies as built-in cabinetry designed specifically for healthcare environments. It is more durable and hygienic than residential cabinetry.
Modular systems are pre-built and flexible, while custom casework is tailored to your exact layout. Both have their benefits.
Key Features to Consider
Adjustable Shelving Systems: These make it easy to reorganize stock as your inventory changes. Wire shelving offers ventilation, while solid shelving adds stability.
Controlled Substance Storage: Lockable shelves and DEA-compliant safes are necessary. Keep narcotics under double lock and key.
High-Density Shelving Units: Perfect for back rooms where space is tight. Mobile shelving can double or triple your usable storage area.
Ergonomic Considerations: Shelving that is too high or too deep slows things down. Aim for chest-height accessibility and smooth-slide drawers.
Seek out healthcare equipment distributors who specialize in equipment used in healthcare and offer in-house value-added services. A top-tier distributor should be able to help with the layout, delivery, and setup.
Whether you are starting from scratch or refreshing a tired layout, choose a healthcare equipment supplier who will help you plan with intention. Think workflow, think compliance, think future-proof, and think CME Corp.
As the United States’ largest specialty distributor solely focused on equipment used in healthcare, we have built long term relationships with industry leading manufacturers and can help equip hospital pharmacies with everything from the casework and shelving to all the standard and specialty medical equipment required for efficiency and compliance.
Our expert account managers will work with you and the manufacturers’ representatives to layout and equip pharmacies with devices and storage tailored to the needs of the staff, available space, and budget.
Complementing CME’s expert focus on equipment used in healthcare are CAD based design and layout, project management, direct-to-site delivery, and biomedical services. We are the only medical equipment distributor nationwide, able to say we are truly a one-stop shop.
Direct-To-Site Logistics and Delivery Services
In addition to delivering medical equipment fully assembled, right to the pharmacy, when it is convenient for staff, our in-house Direct-to-Site services teams will install equipment, like shelving systems, refrigeration, freezer units, and fume hoods so they are ready for immediate use.
Biomedical Services
Our in-house Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs) can support facility biomed teams by performing scheduled annual preventive maintenance on critical equipment as well as perform check-in assessments on new devices.
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FAQs
What is the most important pharmacy equipment to buy first?
Start with refrigeration units, pill counters, and labeling tools—these support core operations right away.
How can I secure my pharmacy against theft?
Use lockable cabinetry, biometric safes, and surveillance. Install DEA-compliant storage for narcotics.
Are modular casework systems valuable for pharmacies?
Yes - especially for growing pharmacies. They are easy to rearrange and scale as needed.
How do I meet state pharmacy board standards?
Consult your state board's guidelines and work with vendors familiar with pharmacy regulations.
Can I retrofit my current pharmacy space with better shelving?
Absolutely. Look for adjustable or mobile shelving systems that can be integrated into existing setups.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With 24 locations strategically positioned across the country and increasing, we are readily accessible to our customers. Our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.