The ABC classification (also called the 80/20 rule or the Pareto analysis) is a method of classifying inventory according to their relative importance. The items are classified as either A, B or C as follows: A -Very important; B -Moderately important; C -Least important. This approach enables the organisation to concentrate on high value or otherwise important items, while not neglecting the other categories.

An Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) is any substance used in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical dosage form or finished pharmaceutical product. The API is the key ingredient in the formulation which provides pharmacological activity or therapeutic effect in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease.

Aircon storage refers to facilities or containers where medicines or health products are stored below a certain temperature with the help of airconditioning. The temperature range is normally under 23° C. Aircon storage contrasts with cold storage where temperature stays between 2 - 8 ° C or with ambient storage where products are stored at room temperature.

Allopathic medicine refers to the mainstream system of medical practice in Western countries. Also called Western medicine, bio-medicine, evidence-based medicine or modern medicine.

Ambient storage refers to facilities or containers where medicines or health products are stored at room temperature. Ambient storage contrasts with cold storage where temperature stays between 2 - 8 ° C or with aircon storage where products are stored under 23° C.

An audit is an independent, objective inspection of an organisation's accounts and statutes or performance, designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations, effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.

A regulatory audit will obtain independent verification of financial and other information reported to regulators. A performance audit is concerned with relevance, economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Internal auditing provides an assessment of internal controls undertaken by a unit reporting to management while external auditing is conducted by an independent organization.

Batch (lot) is a defined quantity of starting material and packaging which goes through a single production and is expected to be homogeneous. The size of the batch depends on fixed quantity or amount produced in a fixed time interval.

Batch number (lot number) is a unique combination of numbers and/or letters given to a batch and corresponding labels, certificate of analysis and other documentation.

Batch release (lot release) is a procedure by which different batches are tested to assess if it meets all the required product specifications as defined by the relevant pharmacoopoeial standards.