Pharmacy risk assessment template

Common risks in pharmacy operations include medication errors, improper storage of controlled substances, inventory discrepancies, staff safety incidents, cybersecurity threats to patient data, and regulatory non-compliance. By assessing these risks regularly, pharmacies can prevent costly incidents, protect patient health, and avoid inspection failures.

High-risk activities include dispensing high-alert medications, managing look-alike or sound-alike drugs, compounding prescriptions, and handling controlled substances. Distractions, inadequate double checks, and incomplete documentation can further increase the likelihood of medication errors in these areas.

Pharmacies can reduce dispensing errors by implementing barcode scanning, standardized labeling, staff training, clear documentation procedures, and regular audits. Creating a culture where staff can report and discuss near misses without fear of blame also helps organizations learn and improve processes.

When a risk is identified, pharmacy leadership should document the finding, determine the root cause, and implement corrective actions such as revising protocols or providing additional training. Monitoring and follow-up are important to ensure the risk is properly addressed and does not recur.