The verdict in three sentences
For a Dublin pharmacy, a dispensing licence (Cegedim, Positive Solutions, RxWeb) at 80-250 EUR/month remains the regulatory reference, but a custom inventory module (25,000-70,000 EUR) fills its blind spots: expiry, rotation, group purchasing. The real gain is not administrative but financial: -20 % stockouts and +15 % rotation free up tied-up cash. Judge the project not by the licence price but by the dormant stock it eliminates.
Dispensing licence vs custom module: the numbers
The dispensing system is mandatory for dispensing and reimbursement; custom optimises what it handles poorly, stock performance.
| Criterion | Dispensing licence | Custom module |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 2,000-6,000 EUR | 25,000-70,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 80-250 EUR/month | Maintenance 10-15 %/yr |
| Expiry management | Basic | Advanced (alerts, FEFO) |
| Rotation optimisation | Limited | Predictive |
| Group integration | Vendor-dependent | Native in spec |
| Time to go live | 3-6 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Data ownership | Vendor | Pharmacy |
The dispensing system stays essential; the custom module bolts on via API and pays back on dormant-stock reduction alone in 2 to 3 years.
Stock, the main margin reservoir in 2026
In a pharmacy, stock often ties up 15 to 20 % of turnover. Every rotation point gained is cash freed.
| Lever | Software action | Estimated gain (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry | FEFO alerts, batch tracking | -60 % expiry losses |
| Stockouts | Auto reorder, thresholds | -20 % stockouts |
| Rotation | ABC analysis, forecasting | +15 % rotation |
| Purchasing | Wholesaler/group comparison | -3 to -5 % on buy price |
| Inventory | Assisted counting, variances | -50 % inventory time |
| Dashboard | Margin by category, top/flop | Faster assortment decisions |
FEFO (first-expired, first-out) and automatic reordering are the two functions that repay the project fastest.
Mini case study
Mr. Byrne, owner-pharmacist in Dublin, ties up 220,000 EUR of stock at 9 turns/year and roughly 12,000 EUR/year in expiry losses. Moving to 10.4 turns/year (+15 %) frees about 29,000 EUR of cash, and FEFO cuts expiry losses to 5,000 EUR/year, saving 7,000 EUR. Add -4 % on annual purchasing of 900,000 EUR, i.e. 36,000 EUR. A 45,000 EUR custom module amortised over 5 years (9,000 EUR/year) is profitable in year one on the purchasing gain alone.
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FAQ
Does the custom module replace the dispensing system?
No, the dispensing system stays mandatory for dispensing, prescriptions and reimbursement. The custom module connects to it via API to optimise stock and purchasing.
How long to deploy the inventory module?
Between 3 and 6 months: 3 months for an expiry + reorder core, 6 months with forecasting, ABC analysis and group connection.
What is the typical ROI?
Combined gains (stockouts, expiry, purchasing, rotation) often reach 40,000 to 80,000 EUR/year for an average pharmacy, against a 25,000-70,000 EUR module: payback in 12 to 24 months.
Can the software connect to my buying group?
Yes, via API or standard exchange files. Budget 5,000 to 12,000 EUR of integration depending on the group's technical openness.
Is expiry management genuinely reliable?
Yes, with rigorous batch and date entry at receipt, FEFO logic and alerts anticipate expiries 60 to 90 days ahead and enable returns or targeted promotions.
Let's scope your project. Share your stock volume, current dispensing system and buying group, and we will price the inventory module with budget and timeline. 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.
