Dispensary layout and fit-out
What the dispensary must have — sink, fridge, dispensing stations, benches, counselling points and lighting — and checking it still fits the workload.
Version 1 · approved 23 Sept 2026 by Sam Nguyen
A dispensary fit for its work
The dispensary is sized and equipped for the services the pharmacy provides and the number of prescriptions it dispenses. Its adequacy is checked again whenever the business grows or changes.
Legal requirement VPA Standard 2.4.2 · VPA Guidelines G2.4.2
What the dispensary has
- A sink with an integrated drainer and hot and cold running water. A hand basin alone is not enough. - A refrigerator used only for medicines, with temperature monitoring (see Cold chain). - A storage system that keeps medicines secure and makes it easy to pick the right one. - A dedicated safe or vault for Schedule 8 and 9 poisons that meets the drugs and poisons regulations and holds all stock on hand (see Schedule 8 medicines).
Legal requirement VPA Standard 2.4.2(a)(b)(e)(f) · VPA Guidelines G2.4.2
Dispensing stations
There should be one dispensing station for every 150 prescriptions, or part thereof, dispensed on a typical day between 9 am and 6 pm. Each station should have a bench of at least 0.6 m², a screen and keyboard, its own barcode scanner, its own label printer and repeat printer, stationery, and access to a printer for Consumer Medicine Information.
Regulator guidance VPA Standard 2.4.2(c) · VPA Guidelines G2.4.2
Bench space
As well as the dispensing stations, the dispensary should have benches of at least 0.6 m² each for: - simple compounding, near the sink, with storage for measuring and weighing equipment - unpacking and sorting orders - clerical and research work.
Regulator guidance VPA Standard 2.4.2(d) · VPA Guidelines G2.4.2
Dose administration aid packing area
If the pharmacy regularly packs dose administration aids for 15 or more people a week, there should be a dedicated bench of at least 1 m² for it, with secure storage for dispensed medicines. A packing area away from the dispensary should be air-conditioned, alarmed, near hand-washing facilities, have a computer for looking up patient histories and printing, have lockable storage, and be free from interruption.
Regulator guidance VPA Guidelines G2.4.2 and G2.4.13
Counselling points
There should be as many prescription reception and counselling points as dispensing stations. Each should have opaque privacy screens rising at least 600 mm above the bench, or be otherwise arranged so conversations are private. The layout should keep customers from standing directly in front of the dispensary except at these points.
Regulator guidance VPA Guidelines G2.4.2 and G2.4.6 · VPA self-audit 2.4.1
Light and temperature
The dispensary is well lit over every work surface, adequately ventilated, and temperature-controlled (see Cold chain for the 25°C limit).
Legal requirement VPA Standard 2.4.3 · VPA Guidelines G2.4.3
Checks that go with this policy
- Dispensary capacity check — Yearly
PharmPolicy supports compliance. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the licensee's own judgement or obligations under the Pharmacy Regulation Act 2010 and other laws.