Overview

Medicine, supply, and food items support package and unit descriptions and size usage selections to assist with managing variance in inventory management and item usage needs.

To access an item's package and unit settings please follow: Settings > Items & Lists > Items and either select "Add item > Medicine/Supply/Food " to begin the item creation process and prompt the item setting dialogue or select the edit pen icon to open a previously created medicine or food item's setting dialogue.

An example screen is shown below displaying package and unit fields available within medicine, supply or food item profiles, under the 'Stock options' section.

Package

The package is defined as the larger size the item is available for usage in consultation or management in inventory. Commonly, medicine and food items are ordered and received by the package size, however, dispensed, administered or sold by the smaller unit retail size. 

Package Description

The package description field details the description of the package size, such as bottle, carton, box, case. If the package is selected as the usage size, this provides additional identifying information to the user on the exact size of the item being selected.

Units in the Package

The 'Units in the package' field identifies how many individual units are included in a package. If the package is selected as the usage size, this provides additional identifying size information to the user on the exact quantity and size of the item being selected. An example would be 1 package (vial) is the equivalent of 20 units (millilitres).

Unit

Unit is defined as the smallest size the item is available for usage in consultation or management in inventory. Commonly, medicine and food items are ordered and received by the package size, however, dispensed, administered or sold by the smaller unit retail size. 

Unit Description

The unit description field details the description of the unit size, such as capsule, tablet, dose, mL. If the unit is selected as the usage size, this provides additional identifying information to the user on the exact size of the item being selected. The unit description also provides supporting information in understanding the package size and description.

Default Usage Size

Default usage size defines the default usage size when the item is selected for use within a consultation or counter sale, however, the usage size can be adjusted as needed during the selection process. Usage size selections are either package or unit.

Minimum Units in a Sale

This field can be defined or left blank pending user preference and department settings. Minimum units in a sale can be required as a mandatory field or left for discretionary use. When a value is entered into this field, no less than the defined unit quantity can be selected during a consultation or counter sale. If left blank, any quantity can be chosen by the user during the selection process.