Pharma · 25 July 2026
How Medicine Distributors Can Reduce Expiry Losses
Practical ways to cut medicine expiry losses: near-expiry alerts, slow-moving batches, FEFO, return planning, and stock value at risk.
Expiry losses are quiet. Stock looks fine until a batch crosses the date and becomes worthless. Distributors who wait for month-end inventory counts discover write-offs too late to sell or return.
30-, 60-, 90- and 180-day expiry attention
Bucket near-expiry stock by days remaining. Thirty days is urgent action; 90–180 days is planning — push sales, stop over-buying, or start supplier conversations. Exact alert thresholds depend on your product mix; the discipline is reviewing the list weekly.
Slow-moving batches
A long-dated batch that never sells is still capital at risk if demand dies. Combine expiry views with sales velocity: slow movers with medium expiry deserve attention before they become short-dated dead stock.
Return-to-supplier planning
Many principals accept near-expiry returns under contract windows. You only catch those windows if expiry is visible by batch. Without batch dates, return claims become arguments.
Halfway tip
If you want software that already ties purchases to batches and sales to FEFO, start with ProDistro pharma distribution software and book a demo when you are ready.
FEFO as daily protection
Near-expiry reports find risk; FEFO reduces how often short-dated lots are left behind. Both matter.
Stock value at risk
Translate near-expiry quantities into rupees using purchase cost. A “small” pile of expensive antibiotics can dwarf a large pile of cheap tablets. Value-at-risk focuses the team on what hurts cash, not only unit counts. Pair this with solid batch tracking.