Pharmacy opening checklist
Opening a pharmacy touches licensing, construction, fixtures, equipment, technology, and staffing — usually in parallel. Use this checklist to sequence the work and to decide what belongs in an Essential build versus a Premium build. Every line item below maps to categories we stock and install.
1. Site selection and floor plan
Essential
- Confirm square footage for dispensing, retail, consultation, and storage zones
- Draft an ADA-compliant traffic flow with a clear path to the pickup counter
- Mark plumbing, electrical, and data drops before ordering millwork
Premium add-ons
- Private HIPAA consultation room and immunization bay
- Drive-thru window with pneumatic tube or drawer
2. Licensing and compliance
Essential
- State board of pharmacy permit and pharmacist-in-charge designation
- DEA registration and controlled-substance storage plan
- NPI, NCPDP, and payer/PBM credentialing
- HIPAA policies, staff training, and privacy signage
Premium add-ons
- USP 795/797 compounding compliance review
- Accreditation for DME or specialty lines
3. Fixtures and millwork
Essential
- Modular prescription counters sized to prescription volume
- Will-call bag hanging or bin system
- Adjustable retail gondola shelving and end caps
- Waiting area seating and consultation counter
Premium add-ons
- Custom-branded casework and feature wall
- Dedicated DME display and fitting area
4. Equipment and refrigeration
Essential
- Medical-grade vaccine refrigerator with alarm and data logging
- Automated pill counter and prescription balance
- Label and receipt printers, barcode scanners
- Sharps disposal, spill kits, and PPE stations
Premium add-ons
- Robotic dispensing or central-fill automation
- Backup freezer and redundant cold-chain monitoring
5. Technology and point of sale
Essential
- Pharmacy management system and workstation hardware
- POS terminals, cash drawers, and payment devices
- Business-class network, firewall, and battery backup
- IVR/phone system and secure fax or e-fax
Premium add-ons
- Digital signage and queue displays
- Redundant internet with automatic failover
6. Security and loss prevention
Essential
- Time-delay narcotics safe
- Monitored alarm system and door access control
- Camera coverage of the dispensing area, registers, and entrances
Premium add-ons
- Access-controlled dispensing vestibule
- Remote 24/7 video monitoring
7. Signage and branding
Essential
- Exterior illuminated sign and window graphics
- Interior wayfinding and department signage
- Required regulatory and privacy notices
Premium add-ons
- Digital menu boards and promotional displays
- Full interior brand environment package
8. Staffing and opening day
Essential
- Hire and license pharmacists and technicians
- Dry-run workflow testing with real prescriptions
- Inventory receipt, put-away, and cycle count
- Grand-opening marketing and payer go-live confirmation
Premium add-ons
- Vendor-led onboarding and automation training
- Professional installation and punch-list walkthrough
Turn the checklist into a build
Our Essential and Premium store-opening packages bundle the fixtures, equipment, technology, and installation above into a single quote, with financing and phased delivery available.