Pharmacy Cleaning Checklist – Free PDF Template

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Pharmacy cleaning checklist

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Use this template with Lumiform

Customize this template or build your own
Fill out templates via mobile app
Get reports and analyse your data

Prices start from ░░░ per month

Book a demo

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Transform your pharmacy’s cleaning management with this specialized digital checklist created for pharmacy managers and compliance officers. Unlike generic cleaning forms, this template specifically addresses the unique sanitation requirements of pharmaceutical environments including proper disinfection protocols for medication preparation areas, sterile compounding spaces, and public pharmacy zones.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland inspection guidelines emphasize that pharmacies should maintain a cleaning schedule or sign-off sheet to document housekeeping activities across all areas. This template helps you implement those essential documentation practices, protecting both your patients and your regulatory compliance status.

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Created by

Nicky Liedtke

Preview of the template

Pharmacy Cleaning Checklist

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Are the washing agents and supplies readily accessible to staff?

Is the pharmacy and areas where medications are put, compounded, dispensed, arranged, and controlled clean?

Do the employees use organisation–approved cleaning methods and cleaning and disinfecting agents?

Are alcohol-based hand rub boxes properly located?

Are automated assigning cabinets and bins cleaned according to the producer’s recommendations and directions?

Are the cleaning and disinfecting agents properly marked and diluted?

Is there a sufficient number of sinks and adequate space and equipment for cleaning equipment and washing hands?

Are drug manufacture, packaging, and dispensing equipment (e.g., mortars, pestles, pill crushers/splitters, counting trays, graduated cylinders, unit-dose packaging tools, and balances) sanitised after each use and disinfected, if required?

Are devices used for crushing or splitting tablets cleaned immediately after use according to producers’ recommendations and instructions?

Is the equipment kept clean and put in a clean area? (Note: Places under sinks are not clean areas. Mortars, grinders, glassware, and other material that must be maintained clean must be deposited in a clean area)

Are the medication carts, drawers, and bins including individual patient’s medications kept spotless?

Boxes and Storage

Are cardboard boxes stored off the floor?

Are shipping containers not stored or opened (i.e., torn or cut) in any area reserved for prepackaging medicines or compounding sterile products? (Note: Handling and storing shipping boxes (e.g., cardboard boxes) must be made with minimal air disturbances and distribution of dust particles. Intravenous (IV) bags and bottles and similar supplies must be removed from cartons and cleaned with an approved disinfecting agent before placing them in the sterile preparation area.)

Waste management

Is noninfectious waste not combined with infectious waste?

Does personnel dispose of the waste following the business’s infection control policies and methods?

Are the waste disposal containers near the area of use?

Infectious Waste

Are materials used in patient rooms not returned to the pharmacy?

Are infectious waste disposal boxes close to the area of use?

Does personnel dispose of the infectious waste following the pharmacy’s infection control policies and methods?

Is infectious waste stored in specially designated containers (e.g., red bags) and disposed of separately from regular trash?

Attire

Does the staff wear proper attire in non-sterile areas?

Does staff remove jewellery and cosmetics before working with sterile preparations?

Is attire used in the sterile compounding area clean and reduces the potential for shedding and contamination, and fits the organization’s policy and state regulations?

Hygiene

Does staff with rashes, sunburn, weeping sores, conjunctivitis or active respiratory infection not make sterile preparations?

Does fingernail length comply with the organisation’s methods and procedures?

Does personnel use a handwashing method and cleaning agents that are approved by the organisation?

Does the use of plastic fingernails comply with the organisation’s policies and methods?

Is regular handwashing done at the beginning of the shift, after visiting the restroom, before and after eating, and when the hands are soiled? It should also be clean under the fingernails.

Sterile Preparation Compounding

Does staff wash their hands completely before compounding sterile preparations?

Does staff who leave the sterile preparations compounding area wash their hands again before resuming compounding?

Do areas for increasing sterile preparations reduce opportunities for particulate and microbial contamination of the arrangements?

Are floors in the ante and buffer spaces cleaned following USP demands?

Are all compounded sterile preparations marked with beyond-use dates?

Are compounded sterile preparations quarantined and examined by a pharmacist earlier to release from the pharmacy? (The person who does the inspection should not be the person who compounded the preparation)

Primary Engineering Controls (PEC)

Is routine, like cleaning or replacing prefilters, performed regularly and according to companies’ specifications?

Are sterile preparations compounded in an appropriately controlled laminar airflow workbench, biological safety cabinet, increasing aseptic isolator, or compounding aseptic containment isolator?

Are compounding of medium- and high-risk arrangements, parenteral nutrition, antineoplastic and other dangerous agents, cardioplegia, and other preparations that need specialized knowledge or equipment normally found only in the pharmacy compounded in the pharmacy by specially qualified staff?

Is USP Purified Water used to remove water-soluble residues, and then the same surfaces are sanitised with a non-residue generating agent working with a lint-free wipe? (You can use sterile 70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitise, but you can use other materials as well)

Are the main engineering control surfaces clean and frequently disinfected, including at the beginning of each work shift, before each batch preparation is started, every 30 minutes throughout continuous compounding activity, when spills happen, and whenever surface contamination is identified or suspected?

Are all objects removed from the surface before cleaning it? Infection-control policies and methods should include a schedule and method for cleaning primary engineering controls (e.g.: laminar airflow workbenches, biological safety cabinets, compounding aseptic isolators, and compounding aseptic containment isolators).

Are HEPA filters renewed or repaired when approved by a fitted certifier?

Are controls of operational efficiency of all main engineering controls, ante areas, and buffer ranges performed at least every six months by a qualified certifier?

Are environmental controlling of both non-viable and viable performed as needed?

Wipe the work surface, clean side panels, and other accessible surfaces. Start at the top and back and working downward and toward the front, unless the producer prescribes a different procedure.

Are results of environmental controlling reported to the management?

Are the primary engineering controls reviewed and approved when they are first placed in service, at least every six months, when service is completed, or they are replaced to a new location? (Certification of primary engineering checks is normally documented by putting a sticker on the device and following inspection records on file)

Aseptic Technique

Are bins for disposal of used needles and other sharp items available, used correctly, and not overfilled?

Are syringes utilised on one patient only and then disposed of correctly?

Is a sterile syringe applied for each medication withdrawn?

Is a sterile needle used for each medicine withdrawn?

Single-Use Containers

Are single-use containers discarded instantly after use in accordance with the company’s policies?

Are single-use containers not reused?

Multiple-Dose Containers

Are multiple-dose boxes that will be reused after the first puncture marked with an appropriate beyond-use date? (All multiple-dose containers meant for reuse must be marked with a beyond-use date whether they are marked with the date of the first entry or not)

Are multiple-dose containers not used past the time designated by the organization’s policies? (The time period must not exceed 4 weeks unless a longer time period is particularly referenced in the package supplement for the product. Whatever the policy, the time must not conflict with the producer’s recommendations nor reach beyond the manufacturer’s expiration date.)

Are pharmacy large packages of electrolytes and other products utilised in the pharmacy for no more than 4 hours after the primary entry into the container unless the producers’ product information gives for another time period? Any usable portions are discharged.

Sign Off

Further comments:

Name and signature of inspector:

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Frequently asked questions

How can a digital pharmacy cleaning checklist help with regulatory compliance?

A digital pharmacy cleaning checklist creates an audit trail of cleaning activities with timestamps and responsible personnel. During inspections, this documentation demonstrates compliance with USP, FDA, and state board requirements while identifying any gaps in your cleaning protocols before they become compliance issues.

What are the consequences of inadequate cleaning documentation in pharmacies?

Inadequate cleaning documentation can result in regulatory citations, failed inspections, potential fines, and even pharmacy license issues. Beyond regulatory concerns, poor cleaning practices can compromise medication integrity, increase contamination risks, and potentially harm patients through cross-contamination or adulterated products.

How should cleaning tasks be prioritized in a busy pharmacy?

Prioritize cleaning tasks based on patient safety impact and regulatory requirements. Critical areas like medication preparation surfaces need immediate attention between uses, while high-touch surfaces require daily cleaning. Create a schedule dividing tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly categories to ensure comprehensive coverage without overwhelming staff.

Nicky Liedtke

Nicky is a content writer and researcher for Lumiform. With her content writing and copywriting experience, she creates high-quality content across a variety of relevant topics. She aims to promote workplace safety, sustainable operational excellence, and continuous improvement in her articles. She is passionate about communicating how technology can be used to have a positive impact on the environment and helping organizations reduce paper waste and achieve their business goals.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.