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Stock rotation

Arranging stock so the soonest-expiring units are dispensed first.

Rotation is the physical half of FEFO. New stock goes behind, shorter-dated stock in front, so the natural picking order matches the expiry order without the counter having to think about it.

It fails quietly. A delivery put away in a hurry, or a batch moved to a different shelf during a rush, breaks the ordering, and nothing about the shelf reveals it afterwards. This is why the register matters: it is the only place the discrepancy becomes visible before the stock expires.

Rotation is most valuable exactly where it is hardest — slow movers and cold-chain lines, where a mis-ordered batch can sit unnoticed for months and where the value lost per unit is highest.

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Related terms

FEFO (First Expiry First Out)Dispensing the batch that expires soonest, rather than the one received first. Near-expiry stockStock close enough to expiry that it must be sold, returned or written off soon. Cold chainThe unbroken refrigerated storage and transport required for temperature-sensitive medicines. Batch numberThe manufacturer's identifier for a specific production lot, printed on the pack.

All terms

Batch numberBreakage and damageCDSCOCGST, SGST and IGSTCold chainCredit noteDPCO (Drugs Prices Control Order)Drug licence (Form 20 / Form 21)Expiry returnFEFO (First Expiry First Out)Generic vs branded medicineGSTR-1GSTR-3BHSN codeInput tax credit (ITC)Loose sale (cut strip)MRP (Maximum Retail Price)Narcotic registerNear-expiry stockNPPAPack factor (units per pack)Pharmacist registrationPTR (Price to Retailer)PTS (Price to Stockist)Purchase invoiceRed-border warning labelReorder levelRetail vs wholesale drug licenceReturn to vendor (RTV)Rule 65Rx symbolSalt compositionSchedule HSchedule H1Schedule XScheme goods (free goods)Shortbook (short book)Stock rotationStockist

This glossary is a practical reference for Indian retail pharmacy, not legal, tax or clinical advice. Requirements under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules are enforced by state drug control authorities and vary; GST treatment should be confirmed with your CA. Verify anything you intend to rely on against the current notified position. As of August 2026.