The verdict in three sentences
An average pharmacy manages 2,000 to 6,000 SKUs and loses 3 to 7% of its stock to expired products, often without realizing it. An app with batch and expiry tracking (FEFO) and reorder alerts brings that loss below 1.5% and cuts stock-outs by 40%. Budget 2,000,000 to 4,500,000 FCFA for a custom build, or 30,000 to 90,000 FCFA/month as SaaS.
The five modules that change profitability
A pharmacy is not a regular shop: batch traceability, prescription handling and insurance claims demand precise rules. Here are the essential modules and what they save.
| Module | Problem solved | Loss avoided / year | Estimated ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch + expiry tracking (FEFO) | Expired stock binned | 3-7% → <1.5% of stock | 3-6 months |
| Auto reorder points | Stock-outs | -40% stock-outs | 2-4 months |
| Prescription management | Dispensing errors | Disputes cut by 3x | 4-8 months |
| POS + mobile money | Slow checkout | +15% checkout speed | 6-9 months |
| Insurance claims | Rejected files | -50% rejections | 6-12 months |
On an average stock of 15,000,000 FCFA, an expiry loss dropping from 5% to 1.5% means 525,000 FCFA recovered per year — more than the annual cost of a SaaS subscription.
Custom or SaaS: how to choose
The right choice depends on the number of branches and integration needs (insurers, wholesalers).
| Criterion | Monthly SaaS | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0-150,000 FCFA | 2,000,000-4,500,000 FCFA |
| Recurring cost | 30,000-90,000 FCFA/mo | Hosting 25,000-75,000 FCFA/mo |
| Time to launch | 1-2 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Customization | Limited | Total |
| Multi-branch | Depends on plan | Unlimited |
| Best for | 1-3 branches | Chain, group |
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Mini case study
Aminata runs a pharmacy in Accra with 4,200 SKUs and stock valued at 18,000,000 FCFA. Before the app, she binned about 6% in expiries per year, i.e. 1,080,000 FCFA. With FEFO alerts prioritizing batches near their expiry date, she drops to 1.4%, or 252,000 FCFA — a 828,000 FCFA saving per year. Adding the 8 weekly hours reclaimed from manual work, the SaaS plan at 60,000 FCFA/month (720,000 FCFA/year) pays for itself before year-end.
FAQ
Does the app comply with pharmacy regulations? Yes, it must trace batches, expiry dates and dispensing history in line with the pharmacy council's requirements. Batch tracking is in fact mandatory in most countries, with fines for non-compliance.
How long to install and train the team? In SaaS mode, budget 1 to 2 weeks including stock import. A team of 3 to 5 people is operational after a half-day of training.
Can we take payments via Wave, Orange Money or MTN MoMo? Yes, the POS module supports mobile money alongside cash and cards, speeding up checkout by 15% at peak hours.
What happens during an internet outage? A well-built app works offline and syncs as soon as the network returns — essential on an unstable 3G connection.
Does it handle insurance claims? Yes, the dedicated module prepares files, tracks receivables and cuts rejections by 50% by avoiding data-entry errors.
Let's talk about your project. We can quote your pharmacy management app within 48 hours with a clear deployment plan. 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.
