How to protect your pharmacy.

When pharmacies are burglarized, thieves are not usually looking for money, their desire is narcotics. They will try to gain access to a pharmacy through the roof, doors or breaking windows, as well as boldly holding up the store during business hours. These criminals usually are addicted to the drugs they steal. Prescription drugs are the second most abused category of drugs in the US, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

There are multiple ways to safeguard a pharmacy. Installing video surveillance inside and outside the pharmacy may deter thieves from robbing the pharmacy if they see the cameras. Video surveillance can also be used to keep an eye on the pharmacists and the technicians, making sure the prescriptions are filled correctly. Use IP cameras which will give more detail than an analog camera, with a DVR, allowing police to see what took place before, during and after a robbery.

With the use of access control to the pharmacy section of the store, as well as drug cabinets, access can be given to only those who are authorized to be in the pharmacy area, and access can be quickly and easily terminated when an employee leaves. Using a centrally monitored access control system would allow only authorized personnel to program the system, schedule access times for specific employees to access the pharmacy area and drug cabinets. Audit trails will reveal who accessed which area, when and the failed attempts to access those secured areas. At a local pharmacy the pharmacist or technician can reach over the half door and open it from the outside. This doesn’t seem to be the best way to deny access to prescription drugs.

Always use your alarm system. When an alarm system is used sporadically the false alarm rates may be higher. Also, install a silent alarm or duress button which is used to silently notify police of an incident in progress or immediately following.

Use safes to securely lock up narcotics. This can provide a safe and more secure environment for the controlled substances. If the break-in occurs at night or when the pharmacy is closed, they may not be able to access the narcotics in the safe at all.

Glass break sensors and security glass laminates can be used on windows. When a window is broken the sound will trigger an alarm. When security glass laminates are installed on windows and doors they become smash-resistant and bullet-resistant (with some of our laminates, to NIJ standard level 3A), when applied to ordinary windows. These laminates are more cost efficient than replacing windows with bullet-proof glass.

Test your alarm system on a monthly basis. Inspect security cameras and the recorded data to ensure they are functioning properly. Install adequate lighting outside and leave it on after hours. When an employee leaves change access codes, alarm codes and safe combinations. Never have one person open and close.

If you are the victim of a robbery, cooperate fully; remember your primary concern is the safety of everyone in the store. After the robber leaves sound the alarm and call the police. Lock the doors (the robber may come back) until police arrive, and ask customers to stay and give a statement. Remember do not to touch anything.

Call today for a FREE ASSESSMENT of your pharmacy.