Pharmaceuticals are a big business. Pharmaceutical sales in the United States generated nearly $600 billion in 2022 — over $500 billion more than any other country. With that amount of money comes even more reasons to be wary of crime. As a pharmacy owner or manager, you understand the significance of protecting your inventory, which includes prescription drugs and sensitive health information. More importantly, pharmacists, technicians, and cashiers require the best protection from potential robberies.

While pharmacy theft may not immediately come to mind when thinking of high-stakes robberies, the numbers don’t lie. With over 10,900 incidents logged in the Rx PATROL® database as of September 23, 2021 (5,122 of these incidents are robberies, 2,569 are burglaries, and 58 are shoplifting), crime behind pharmacy doors is prevalent. In fact, there were 401 prescription drug armed robbery incidents in 2019 alone.

What Can You Do to Increase Pharmacy Security?

There are several security measures you can consider to combat robberies and burglaries in your pharmacy. In this blog, we’ll review a few gleaned from a Pharmacy Times article, but remember there are more than what’s mentioned on this page. 

1. Ensure sufficient lighting

Ensuring that your pharmacy has ample lighting at all times — whether day or nighttime — can assist in creating a space that’s more difficult to ambush. Bright light can act as a deterrent and discourage intruders. Banishing dark corners and possible hiding spots with lights in your store’s interior or exterior can also be beneficial.

In addition, sufficient lighting helps surveillance cameras capture clearer images, making it easier to identify criminal activity. Well-lit pharmacies also convey a sense of security and safety to customers and employees.

 

2. Add security cameras

High-resolution security cameras are a common suggestion for any type of facility looking to amp up their security — and for good reason. Cameras provide a visual, physical presence that can deter would-be thieves from attempting to rob a pharmacy. Pharmacy Times recommends installing eye-level cameras to obtain a better image of the robber’s face should an incident occur.

Cameras should cover all of a pharmacy's high-risk areas, including the entrances, exits, dispensing areas, and counters. Since intruders often try to operate around or deactivate visible cameras, hidden cameras are essential. Video cameras can also monitor employee activity, helping prevent workers from stealing money, prescription medicine, and other valuable merchandise.

3. Install alarm systems

One of the benefits of an alarm system is its ability to alert authorities immediately after a theft is initiated. Alarm systems offer various options, including remote triggers and panic buttons to connect with police faster. Even bells or chimes in entryways that sound each time a door opens are helpful.

Advanced technology like motion sensors can detect the slightest movement and activate your alarm systems, primarily when your store is closed to the public.

 

4. Enlist the help of the police

Pharmacies can invite local police to conduct security assessments at their store to eliminate potential issues and threats before thieves even have a chance to plan their attacks. Pharmacy owners can also benefit from learning the names of local police officers and having them patrol their stores frequently. Additionally, neighborhood watch groups and organized task forces can enhance the relationships between business owners and police.

 

5. Install counter doors and security grilles

Stopping theft starts at facility entryways. At Cornell, we offer rolling security shutters and grilles to create the best fit for your application. Our pharmacy security shutters are a good fit when you want accessibility and security in interior and exterior applications, with the added benefit of choosing a fire-rated option. 

Our Visionaire® MicroCoil® Grille fits into as little as 15 ½ inches of headroom with its reduced coil size for optimal space savings, providing longevity and access control in high-traffic areas. We also manufacture side-folding grilles to transform your pharmacy space with security options that provide maximum airflow and visibility in areas with limited space. Our ScreenGard™ perforated slat doors offer the security of a rolling service door and the visibility and ventilation typical of a rolling security grille.

Our StoreDefender™ Door is one of our most versatile rolling commercial doors. Its 18-gauge curtain works well for storefront or rear access areas. The many features of the StoreDefender can withstand a moderate attack of several intruders with multiple hand tools. 

The EntryDefender® Door offers high security and protection for various commercial facilities, including pharmacies. The steel curtain contains interlocking slates that compress when closed, creating a surface free of potential pry points. The EntryDefender also features a discreet locking system and a reinforced bottom bar that prevents intruders from lifting the door.

 

View Our Pharmacy Security Closures

Contact Cornell today to learn more

All pharmacies, large or small, can benefit from beefing up their theft countermeasures. Facilities in the pharmaceutical industry manage sensitive prescriptions, other inventory, money, and protected health information, so ensuring these items are secure, along with protecting staff and clients, should be at the top of your list of safety concerns.

Our Architectural Design Support Team is here to help. Contact us online or call (833) 958-1273 today to update your pharmacy's security with rolling doors or grilles.

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