The verdict in three sentences
In a pharmacy, what expires is not stolen, it is thrown away: expiry waste averages 6 % of stock in Lagos in 2026. A real-time inventory app with alerts 60 days ahead turns those losses into targeted promotions and cuts stockouts by 30 %. For an estimated 2,000,000 FCFA, a 4,000-SKU catalogue recovers around 4 points of margin and integrates mobile money payment.
Why expiry crushes margin
An average pharmacy juggles thousands of SKUs with different expiry dates. Without automated tracking, you discover the expired product on the day you try to sell it. The app sorts each batch by date, surfaces items near expiry and prompts you to clear them before an outright loss.
| Indicator | Without app | With app | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expiry waste | 6 % of stock | 2 % of stock | -4 points |
| Stockout rate | 14 % | 10 % | -30 % |
| Pre-expiry alert | none | 60 days ahead | anticipation |
| Inventory time | 2 days | 3 hours | real time |
| SKUs tracked | approximate | 4,000 | exhaustive |
| Mobile money payment | no | yes | integrated |
Budget and return on investment 2026
Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a Lagos pharmacy.
| Item | FCFA range | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time stock management | 800,000 | 4,000 SKUs |
| Expiry alerts (60 days) | 350,000 | dashboard |
| Prescription module | 400,000 | patient history |
| Mobile money payment | 450,000 | integrated |
| Project total | ≈ 2,000,000 | 6 weeks |
| Annual margin recovered | ≈ 3,200,000 | on 80M stock |
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Pharmacies, clinics and labs form a dense network where a recommendation is worth gold. By joining the Kolonell referral partner programme, you earn a commission on every project you bring in: 15 % + 5 % recurring for a showcase site, 12 % for e-commerce, 10 % for a marketplace and 8 % for an institutional project. Introducing a 2,000,000 FCFA business app to a pharmacist in your network can mean an immediate and comfortable commission.
Mini case study
Mrs Ngassa runs a pharmacy in Lagos with stock valued at 80,000,000 FCFA. At 6 % annual waste, she was losing 4,800,000 FCFA a year in discarded products. With alerts 60 days ahead she drops to 2 % waste, or 1,600,000 FCFA of loss: a saving of 3,200,000 FCFA a year. The 2,000,000 FCFA app pays for itself in under 8 months, before even counting fewer stockouts.
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FAQ
How much does a pharmacy management app cost in 2026?
Expect an order of magnitude of 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for a full project with real-time stock, expiry alerts and mobile money payment. Tracking 4,000 SKUs is included in that range.
How do expiry alerts work?
Each batch is logged with its expiry date. The app flags products to clear 60 days ahead, leaving time for a targeted promotion rather than an outright loss.
Does the app really reduce stockouts?
Yes: real-time tracking and automatic reorder thresholds bring the stockout rate from about 14 % to 10 %, a 30 % drop. Fewer stockouts means more sales captured.
Can we take payment via mobile money?
The mobile money payment module is built into the till. The customer pays for their prescription cash-free, and every transaction is tied to their history.
How long to deploy the app?
Expect around 6 weeks, catalogue migration and training included. The stock module can go live first, with the others following in stages.
Let's talk about your project. We equip your pharmacy with real-time stock and expiry alerts in 6 weeks. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
