Setting Up Your Hospital Pharmacy: Generic and Branded Medicines for Regular and Emergency Stock
20 December 2025 • 2 min read

Generic and Branded Medicines for Hospital Pharmacy Setup: Regular and Emergency Stock Requirements:
A well-stocked hospital pharmacy is essential for delivering timely and effective patient care. When setting up a pharmacy for a 30-bed hospital, understanding the types of medicines to keep in regular and emergency stock is crucial. This guide focuses on generic medicines, which are cost-effective and widely used, as well as branded medicines prescribed based on physician preference.
Importance of Generic Medicines in Hospital Pharmacy
Generic medicines such as antibiotics, analgesics, antihypertensives, and antipyretics form the backbone of hospital pharmacy inventory. They offer effective treatment options at affordable prices, making healthcare accessible to a broader patient base.
Common Generic Medicines to Stock Regularly
Antibiotics: Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole
Analgesics: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac
Antihypertensives: Amlodipine, Atenolol, Losartan
Antipyretics: Paracetamol, Aspirin
Maintaining adequate stock levels of these generics ensures uninterrupted treatment for common conditions.
Branded Medicines: Physician Preference and Specialized Needs
While generics cover most treatment needs, branded medicines are often preferred for specific cases or patient requirements. These medicines may offer different formulations, delivery mechanisms, or brand trust.
Hospitals should maintain a balanced inventory of branded medicines as per the prescribing patterns of their medical staff.
Emergency Stock: Life-Saving Generics
Emergency situations demand immediate access to critical medicines. Your pharmacy should have a dedicated emergency stock of essential generics, including:
Adrenaline (Epinephrine): For anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest
Atropine: For bradycardia and organophosphate poisoning
Emergency Antibiotics: Such as Ceftriaxone and Vancomycin
Anti-seizure Medications: Like Diazepam and Phenytoin
Regular audits and rotation of emergency stock are vital to ensure efficacy and compliance.
Best Practices for Managing Pharmacy Stock
Use inventory management software to track stock levels, expiry dates, and reorder points.
Establish relationships with reliable suppliers for timely procurement.
Train pharmacy staff on proper storage conditions and handling.
Comply with regulatory guidelines for drug storage and documentation.
How medeilplus Supports hospital Pharmacy Management for retail pharmacy & chain pharmacies visit us
medeilplus Hospital Information Systems include comprehensive pharmacy modules that help you manage generic and branded medicine inventories, automate reordering, and maintain compliance effortlessly.
Explore our hospital pharmacy to learn more.