Architect's Advice: Tips for Choosing Pharmacy Interiors That Patients Prefer
Introduction
"With so many pharmacies nearby, why is that one chosen?"
"I want to open a pharmacy, but what should I prioritize for the interior?"
Pharmacies are currently in a highly competitive industry. We are in an era where patients with prescriptions choose which pharmacy to visit.
The interior has a significant impact on that choice.
From the perspective of someone who has run a construction company for 15 years and handled the construction of medical and pharmaceutical facilities, I will share tips on creating pharmacy interiors that patients choose.
1. What is the "sense of security" required for a pharmacy?
Patients coming to a pharmacy are dealing with physical ailments or illnesses. Therefore, what is required for the interior is not "fashionableness" but "cleanliness, a sense of security, and clarity."
Criteria for patients choosing a pharmacy
Is it clean?
Is the waiting time comfortable?
Is it easy to consult with a pharmacist?
Is privacy protected?
The interior is related to all of these.
2. Creating "accessibility" at the entrance and exterior
Pharmacies are facilities that often have the image of being "hard to enter without a prescription." It is important to create accessibility through the entrance design.
Points for the entrance
Use a glass design so the interior is visible (to eliminate a closed-off feeling)
Use automatic doors to make it easy to enter
Display messages like "We accept medication consultations" to make it feel approachable
Use a barrier-free design to make it easy for wheelchair users and the elderly to enter
Exterior Lighting
Install exterior lighting that is bright and clean, even at night. A dark pharmacy gives the impression that it might be closed.
③ The waiting area determines whether they will 'come back again'
The waiting area is where patients spend the most time in a pharmacy. The comfort of this space is the deciding factor in choosing a pharmacy.
Seating Design
Choose chairs at a height that makes it easy for elderly patients to stand up and sit down
Ensure space for wheelchairs
Aim for a seating capacity 1.5 times the expected number of patients
Lighting
Avoid white fluorescent lights like those in hospitals. Simply using warm white (3500K) creates a soft and calm atmosphere.
Privacy Considerations
Arrange the seating so that patients do not make eye contact with others. For patients suffering from physical ailments, privacy is extremely important.
Health Information Displays
Displaying health information, seasonal disease prevention tips, and instructions on how to take medication that patients can read while waiting creates an impression of a 'helpful pharmacy'.
④ Counter design creates 'ease of consultation'
Dialogue with the pharmacist is the core of a pharmacy. The design of the counter is directly linked to how easy it is for patients to consult with them.
Counter Height
A counter that is too high creates an oppressive feeling like a wall. 95–100 cm is the appropriate height to meet the eye level of a standing patient.
Privacy at the Medication Counter
There are many conversations that patients do not want others to hear, such as explanations of medication, side effects, and physical conditions. Use partitions and layout adjustments to ensure privacy.
Individual Consultation Space
Providing a private or semi-private space for personal consultations builds trust, making patients feel that they can talk openly here.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Design a portion of the counter as a low counter (about 75 cm) so that patients in wheelchairs can also talk face-to-face.
⑤ Dispensing room design improves 'operational efficiency'
The dispensing room is not visible to customers, but the ease of work for pharmacists is directly linked to the quality and speed of dispensing.
Basic Design of the Dispensing Room
Use a one-way flow for movement to prevent dispensing errors
Set the height of medicine shelves so that pharmacists can retrieve items without strain.
Use neutral white lighting with high illuminance (750–1000 lux) suitable for work.
Ensure space for dispensing equipment (packaging machines, tablet counters) during the design phase.
Security
Access control to the dispensing room and the installation of security cameras are essential. Please incorporate these during the design phase.
6. Design of the OTC Medicine Corner
The OTC (over-the-counter) medicine corner, where items can be purchased without a prescription, directly contributes to additional revenue.
Design points for the OTC corner
Place it in a position that is easily visible from the entrance.
Set shelf heights so that products are easy to retrieve.
Use bright lighting to make products easy to see.
Place seasonal products (hay fever medicine, cold medicine, etc.) in prominent locations.
7. Restrooms Prove a "Clean Pharmacy"
In medical facilities, the restroom is a place that demonstrates trust in hygiene management.
Restroom points
Create a sense of cleanliness with automatic faucets and paper towels.
Provide a multi-purpose restroom accessible to the elderly and people with disabilities.
Ensure thorough deodorization and ventilation.
Install handrails in appropriate positions.
How to Think About Budget Allocation
The interior budget for a pharmacy is generally around 350,000 to 600,000 yen per tsubo.
High-priority investment areas
Waiting area (directly linked to patient comfort and return visit rates)
Counter design (directly linked to ease of consultation and sense of trust)
Dispensing room (directly linked to operational efficiency and dispensing quality)
Barrier-free design (attracting a wide range of patients)
OTC corner (directly linked to additional revenue)
Summary
✅ Make the entrance bright and open to create a welcoming atmosphere
✅ Make the waiting area comfortable with warm white lighting and privacy considerations
✅ Create ease of consultation through counter height and partitions
✅ Increase efficiency in the dispensing room with one-way traffic flow and high-intensity lighting
✅ Consider elderly and wheelchair-bound patients with barrier-free design
The key to building a pharmacy chosen by the community is to design the interior not just for its "look," but based on whether it is an environment where patients can feel at ease and continue to visit.
Next time, we plan to release "Tips for Increasing Sales with Yakiniku and Teppanyaki Restaurant Interiors."
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I have been running a construction company for 15 years with many qualified staff members, including architects, electrical engineers, and plumbing construction management engineers. We have a proven track record in constructing restaurants, clinics, beauty salons, nurseries, and more. We are currently sharing information on store and facility interiors from a field-based perspective.
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