The verdict in three sentences
Expired stock and stockouts eat your margin from both sides: 2 to 5 % of inventory hits the bin while customers walk out empty-handed. A batch-tracking app, with expiry alerts and automatic reorder points, cuts both losses. As a bonus, the prescription log keeps your pharmacy compliant on controlled medicines.
Where a pharmacy leaks money
Inventory is a fragile asset: too much and it expires, too little and it is missing at the moment of sale. Data-driven control replaces guesswork.
| Item | Without app | With inventory app |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry losses | 2-5 % of stock | < 1 % |
| Stockouts on top sellers | Frequent | Rare (reorder points) |
| Near-expiry detection | Manual, late | Alert 30-90 days ahead |
| Batch / number tracking | None | Full |
| Controlled prescription log | Paper | Timestamped digital |
| Supplier price compare | From memory | Automatic |
Features that protect margin
Each feature targets a precise source of loss. The goal: sell before expiry, never run out on the references that move.
| Feature | Concrete benefit |
|---|---|
| Expiry alerts | Priority sell-through, targeted promo |
| Reorder points by turnover | Zero stockouts on best-sellers |
| Batch tracking | Targeted product recall, traceability |
| Prescription log | Controlled-medicine compliance |
| Supplier comparator | -3 to -8 % on purchases |
| Mobile money POS (Wave/Orange) | Fast checkout, fewer till errors |
Mini case study
Ibrahim, a pharmacist in Lagos, holds inventory worth 20,000,000 FCFA equivalent. At 4 % expiry losses he bins 800,000 FCFA/year. With near-expiry alerts bringing losses to 1 %, he saves 600,000 FCFA/year. Add -5 % on purchases via the supplier comparator (on 8,000,000 FCFA annual buys = 400,000 FCFA), and the yearly gain tops 1,000,000 FCFA. The app pays for itself in the first quarter.
FAQ
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How does the app reduce expiry losses?
It fires an alert 30 to 90 days before expiry, per batch, giving time to prioritize sell-through or run a promo. Losses drop from 2-5 % to under 1 % of stock.
Is batch tracking mandatory?
For controlled medicines and product recalls it is vital: every batch number is traced, enabling a targeted recall instead of pulling the whole shelf.
Can I collect payments via mobile money?
Yes, the POS integrates Wave and Orange Money: checkout is fast, the till reconciles automatically and change-making errors disappear.
How are reorder points set?
They are computed from each reference's real turnover and supplier lead time, so you order neither too early nor too late on your top products.
Will installation disrupt my business?
Stock intake is progressive; the pharmacy stays open and the app is fully live in 2 to 4 weeks.
Let's talk about your project. We bring your stock, expiries and prescription log under control with mobile money checkout. 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.
