The verdict in three sentences
A pharmacy managing stock by eye or with an aging module suffers stockouts, expiries and overstocking that eat into margin. A custom software (30,000 to 70,000 EUR) or a license (200 to 600 EUR/month) automates wholesaler orders and monitors expiry dates. The real lever: cut stockouts by around 30 % while lowering tied-up capital by 15 %.
Custom vs license: the 2026 numbers
The choice depends on pharmacy size, number of references and the need for integrations (wholesalers, POS, claims). 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Criterion | SaaS license | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 to 5,000 EUR | 30,000 to 70,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 200 to 600 EUR/month | Maintenance 15 %/year of build |
| Time to go live | 3 to 6 weeks | 14 to 20 weeks |
| Automatic ordering | Standard | Tuned to your thresholds |
| Expiry management | Basic | Fine alerts per batch |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| 5-year cost (estimate) | 15,000 to 41,000 EUR | 52,500 to 122,500 EUR |
The features that protect margin
A pharmacy software ROI comes from three areas: stockouts, expiries and tied-up capital. 2026 impact estimates.
| Feature | Value | Estimated gain |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic wholesaler orders | Just-in-time restocking | Stockouts -30 % |
| Batch-level expiry alerts | Early sell-through | Expiry losses -40 % |
| Stock threshold optimization | Less overstock | Tied-up capital -15 % |
| Per-product margin tracking | Fine steering | Margin +2 to +4 pts |
| Rolling inventory | Reliable stock | Inventory gaps -50 % |
| Purchasing dashboard | Wholesaler negotiation | Better terms |
Mini case study
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Mr. Bertrand runs a neighborhood pharmacy in Nantes with average tied-up stock of 180,000 EUR and about 12,000 EUR/year in expiry losses. By moving to a custom software at 48,000 EUR plus 7,200 EUR/year maintenance, he targets -15 % tied-up capital (27,000 EUR of cash freed) and -40 % expiries, about 4,800 EUR saved per year. Adding reduced stockouts (unlost sales estimated at 6,000 EUR/year), the annual gain nears 10,800 EUR, before counting freed cash. Payback in about 4.5 years, accelerated by per-product margin gains.
FAQ
How much does custom pharmacy software cost in 2026? Between 30,000 and 70,000 EUR depending on modules (automatic ordering, expiries, margins) and integrations. Budget maintenance of 15 %/year.
Custom or license: what should a pharmacy choose? For a standard pharmacy, a license (200 to 600 EUR/month) is often enough. Custom is justified with multiple locations or specific integration needs.
How does the software reduce expiries? It tracks each batch and its date, triggers early alerts and suggests actions (promotion, wholesaler return), cutting expiry losses by around 40 %.
Can wholesaler orders be automated? Yes, by defining thresholds per reference, the software generates order proposals or transmits them automatically, cutting stockouts by around 30 %.
How long to deploy the solution? Budget 14 to 20 weeks for a full custom scope, with a first stock + ordering version in 8 to 10 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of references, your wholesalers and your POS integration needs, and we will price your tool. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
