Design and Implementation of an Inventory Management System for Pharmaceutical Retail Outlets in Onitsha, Anambra State

Efficient inventory management is critical for pharmaceutical retail outlets to prevent drug stockouts, minimise wastage from expired products, and comply with regulatory requirements. This study addresses the design and implementation of a computerised inventory management system for pharmaceutical retail outlets in Onitsha, Anambra State, a major commercial hub in South East Nigeria. The research was initiated following an observational audit of ten pharmacy outlets, which found that 70 percent still relied on manual ledger-based stock records, contributing to recurring drug shortages and expiry losses estimated at 15 percent of monthly stock value. The proposed system was developed using Python and SQLite, offering features such as automatic reorder alerts, expiry date tracking, sales recording, and supplier management. A system testing phase conducted across three participating pharmacies over eight weeks demonstrated zero critical stockout events compared to two per outlet per month under the previous system. The user interface was designed with non-technical operators in mind, minimising training requirements. Data integrity measures including automated backups and user authentication were incorporated to safeguard sensitive stock and sales records. The study recommends that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria collaborate with technology developers to promote affordable inventory solutions for small-scale operators. Keywords: inventory management, pharmaceutical retail, Onitsha, Python, stockout prevention.