4 Simple Steps to Protect Your Pharmacy From Internal Theft

Due to the availability of over-the-counter prescription drugs - such as codeine, oxycodone, hydromorphone and morphine - pharmacies are at incredibly high risk of falling victim to theft.

In fact, pharmacies are at particular risk of employee theft. Recent incidents highlight the severity of the issue. In November last year an employee faced charges after more than 10,000 Percocet pills were reportedly diverted from a local pharmacy. 

Meanwhile, in June almost $4M worth of prescription opioids disappeared from an Ontario pharmacy and in December there was the tragic case of a child dying after an alleged pharmacy robbery in Southwest Calgary.

It’s clear that pharmacies need to do more to protect their assets and prevent employee theft, and that means improving how they secure their business. Sonitrol Western Canada has listed five key tips that will ensure your pharmacy is protected from internal theft.

1 - Identify Security Weaknesses

Whether your pharmacy business has previously fallen victim to theft or you’re simply planning for the future, if you’re reading this blog then it’s incredibly likely that your pharmacy’s security isn’t foolproof.

Pharmacies have a variety of security weaknesses, which could be anything from how you manage your employees, the delivery drivers that handle assets to external threats such as burglars.

When it comes to improving your security, the first step is to get a professional security expert to identify your weak spots and build a unique security plan for your company’s specific needs.

2 - Train Staff to be Alert

Employees shouldn’t put their life at risk to protect your business, but they should be trained in spotting security concerns around your pharmacy. Staff members should know which peculiar behaviours to look out for, both in terms of other employees and potential burglars.

For example, a customer who wanders around your pharmacy for an extended period or stands at the prescription counter longer than normal may be trying to work out which type of drugs your pharmacy has on hand.

Similarly, employees who show peculiar behaviour when around prescription drugs could also be pilfering from your pharmacy. However, it’s incredibly important not to foster a mistrusting company culture as this will negatively affect your business.

3 - Implement Managed Access Control

Your pharmacy is highly susceptible to theft because of the high quantity of valuable assets that you have in stock at any one time. So, how can you implement an extra layer of security to protect those assets? Implementing managed access control.

Managed access control, otherwise known as keyless entry, puts another layer of security between your assets and criminals. By limiting access to rooms that hold vulnerable prescription drugs to specific employees, you’ll know exactly who was in a room when the stock went missing.

4 - Install a Verified Security Solution

A verified security solution is by far the best way your pharmacy can protect its assets, employees and customers from the effects of crime.

Unlike conventional CCTV systems that just record break-ins and theft while they are in action, verified video security immediately verifies an intrusion and alerts police through a central monitoring station so that they are able to dispatch officers quickly to catch criminals in the act - before they can damage or steal from your business.

Why Sonitrol is the Best Security Solution for Your Pharmacy

Sonitrol’s verified security solutions monitor the perimeter and interior of your pharmacy and are activated by highly sensitive motion and heat controls. That’s why we have the highest criminal apprehension rate in the industry, with more than 188,000 apprehensions to date.

Sonitrol offers a level of protection that traditional security systems can’t match. Here’s why pharmacies across North America trust us to safeguard their businesses:

• Industry-Leading Apprehension Rate: Sonitrol has helped law enforcement apprehend over 188,000 criminals, the highest rate in the industry.
  
  
• Faster Police Response Times: Verified alarms mean law enforcement treats the threat as a crime in progress, responding faster than to conventional alarm calls (in just 3.5 minutes. In fact, many police departments don’t even respond to unverified alarms.
  
  
• Drastic Reduction in False Alarms: False alarms can lead to fines and wasted police resources. Sonitrol’s verified security significantly reduces false alarm rates, ensuring police only respond when there’s a real threat. We have the lowest false alarm rate in the industry, at just 3%.
  
  
• $5,000 Performance Guarantee: We stand behind our technology. If our system fails to detect an actual break-in, we offer a $5,000 money-back guarantee.

Secure Your Pharmacy Today

Internal and external theft can put your business, employees, and customers at risk. Protect your pharmacy with Sonitrol’s industry-leading verified security solutions.

Contact us today to schedule a free security plan and discover how Sonitrol can provide unmatched protection for your business.