A community pharmacy visit was organized to provide practical exposure and enhance understanding of community pharmacy operations among students. Prof. Kirti Deshpande organized a visit for second-year D. Pharm students on 29th December 2025 at 10:00 a.m. atRamdev Medical, located opposite Shantinagar, Kondhwa, Pune. The objective of the visit was to familiarize students with day-to-day community pharmacy practices, including dispensing procedures, inventory management, storage of medicines, and patient interaction.
The students were introdcuced to the overall functioning of the pharmacy. An explanation was provided regarding the dispensing process, including prescription screening, interpretation, labeling, and patient counselling. The pharmacist highlighted the importance of accuracy, legality, and ethical responsibility while dispensing medicines in a community setting.
The pharmacist also explained the inventory management system, emphasizing stock maintenance, expiry date monitoring, and procurement of medicines. The First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method was discussed as a key practice to minimize drug wastage and ensure patientsafety. Medicines were systematically arranged based on therapeutic categories, and separate storage areas were maintained for prescription medicines, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and healthcare accessories. Proper documentation and record maintenance were explained to ensure compliance with regulatory norms.Students were also introduced to patient counselling practices, particularly for common ailments such as fever, cold, headache, and gastrointestinal disorders. The pharmacist stressed the role of effective communication in improving medication adherence and patient outcomes.
The visit concluded with an interactive discussion session, during which students clarified doubts and gained practical insights into community pharmacy responsibilities. Overall, the visit was a valuable learning experience that strengthened students’ practical knowledge and helped bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world pharmacy practice.
