Recently, concerns have been voiced that making pseudoephedrine-based medicines prescription-only may place pharmacies at greater risk of burglary. While the impact of such a change is unclear, it is always worthwhile taking the steps you can to protect your pharmacy against burglary. Here are a few reminders on how perimeter protection can deter potential burglars and protect your pharmacy. 

Deterring Theft - Perimeter protection

Good perimeter protection is about making a person think twice about committing burglary. The greater the effort and time it takes an intruder to access your pharmacy, the greater the chance they are caught and the less likely they are to choose your premises over an easier target.

If forced entry is made easy and goes undetected, the offender gains extra time to remove pharmaceuticals, cash and other valuables before the police arrive. Also, forced entry can cause considerable damage in the process, which affects your ability to trade and provide your service afterward. This is where insurance cover for material damage to your pharmacy is important including cover for removal of building debris, glass, and for business interruption, in the event that your pharmacy is forced to close and you lose income.

When it comes to securing your pharmacy's perimeter ensure that:

• All doors - front, side, and rear (particularly those well hidden from view) - are of solid construction with high grade commercial frames, locks and hinges.
• The same applies to windows, skylights, and roof access. Domestic grade materials simply do not provide the level of protection necessary for commercial premises.
• All points of entry are protected by reed switches. These simple devices signal the alarm system the instant the perimeter of the property is breached. 
• All glass is reinforced and that the integrity of glass expanses is monitored by glass break detectors. These devices are linked to the alarm panel, providing a response to glass breaks as well as vibrations created from attempted glass breaks. 
• You have adequate signage to clearly identify the level of security in your pharmacy.
• There is ample exterior lighting - people with ill intent generally do not like to be seen.
• You are aware of security measures in neighbouring premises. There have been a number of instances where thieves have broken into the back of a perfume cabinet through a neighbouring business that was unprotected.
• Naturally the better the construction and quality of perimeter protection, the more difficult unauthorised access becomes. While it remains important to detect movement within your pharmacy, stopping people entering in the first place is the best result a system of security can give.
• In the event of a burglary, you also want to know that you adequate insurance cover for your pharmacy against unexpected expenses and that your insurer can give you the right service in the distressing time following a break-in.

Check that your pharmacy insurance policy protects you in the event of burglary and includes cover for:

1.         Temporary security costs
Guild provides up to $25,000 cover for temporary security arrangements to secure your practice again. We also provide $5000 cover for the costs of restoring your security system if it has been damaged.

2.         Stolen keys or combinations

Guild provides cover for the cost of recoding or replacing locks if your keys or combinations are stolen up to $5000.

3.         Employees personal items

Guild provides cover up to $5000 for any one employees' personal effects and $50000 total.

4.         Customers goods

Guild provides up to $5000 cover each for customers goods.

If you would like to discuss your pharmacy insurance needs contact Guild Insurance

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