The verdict in three sentences
For a pharmacy in Amsterdam, two paths coexist: a standard pharmacy solution (70 to 170 EUR/month) covering the regulatory essentials, or bespoke modules (22 000 to 60 000 EUR) grafted onto your core system for click-and-collect, loyalty or specific dashboards. The real return comes from fewer stock-outs and expiries, not the licence price. Start with the standard, add bespoke where you lose money.
Standard vs bespoke modules
The core pharmacy system handles prescriptions and reimbursement; bespoke fills what it does poorly. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Item | Standard solution | Bespoke modules |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly core software | 70 - 170 EUR | Unchanged |
| Click-and-collect site | Often limited | 9 000 - 22 000 EUR |
| Loyalty programme | Basic | 6 000 - 13 000 EUR |
| Margin/turnover dashboard | Standard | 5 000 - 11 000 EUR |
| Wholesaler integration | Included | To connect |
| Total year 1 cost | 840 - 2 040 EUR | 22 000 - 60 000 EUR |
Most pharmacies keep their core system and invest bespoke only on the two or three items that weigh on margin.
The real ROI: expiries, stock-outs and average basket
A pharmacy quietly loses money on expiries and stock-outs. Fine stock control and a well-built click-and-collect reverse the trend.
| Lever | Common 2026 situation | After modernisation |
|---|---|---|
| Reference stock-outs | 6 - 10 % of lines | -25 % i.e. 4.5 - 7.5 % |
| Annual expiries | 0.8 - 1.5 % of revenue | Halved |
| Average basket | Baseline | +10 % (recommendation, loyalty) |
| Reimbursement delays | 30 - 45 days | 20 - 30 days |
| Click-and-collect orders | 0 | 5 - 12 % of OTC revenue |
| Stock management time | High | -30 % |
For a pharmacy turning over 1 800 000 EUR, cutting expiries from 1.2 % to 0.6 % already recovers over 10 000 EUR a year.
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Mini case study
Sophie, a pharmacy owner in Amsterdam, turns over 1 900 000 EUR with a 9 % stock-out rate and 1.3 % expiries, roughly 24 700 EUR gone in losses. She keeps her core system (120 EUR/month) and invests 38 000 EUR in three bespoke modules: click-and-collect, margin dashboard and loyalty programme. Within a year, stock-outs fall to 6.5 %, expiries to 0.7 % and the OTC basket rises 10 %. Combined gain estimated at over 28 000 EUR a year: the modules pay back in a little over a year.
FAQ
Should I change my core system? Rarely. The core system handles prescriptions and reimbursement; it is more profitable to keep it and graft bespoke modules (click-and-collect, loyalty, stock control) onto the items where you lose margin.
Is click-and-collect worth it? Yes, it captures 5 to 12 % of OTC revenue and lifts the average basket; budget 9 000 to 22 000 EUR for a module well integrated with your stock.
How do I cut expiries? With turnover control and expiry alerts; halving expiries often means 8 000 to 12 000 EUR a year for a mid-sized pharmacy.
Is wholesaler integration handled? Yes, orders to distribution wholesalers are connected to automate replenishment and reduce stock-outs.
How long to deploy the modules? Expect 6 to 12 weeks per module depending on complexity, keeping your core system in production without interruption.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your current core system, your revenue and the areas that hurt (stock-outs, expiries, OTC), and we will target the highest-return modules. 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.
