The verdict in three sentences
Custom management software for a retail pharmacy costs, in 2026, between 4,000,000 and 9,000,000 FCFA, depending on modules and the number of branches. The value core is stock management with expiry alerts (around 1,500,000 FCFA): it directly attacks a pharmacy's two major losses, expiries and stock-outs. Add a fast cashier (1,000,000 FCFA) and, if you run several outlets, a multi-branch module to steer everything from a single dashboard.
Price grid by module
A pharmacy chains purchasing, storage, sales and prescription tracking. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for custom development.
| Module | 2026 range (FCFA) | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Stock management + expiry alerts | 1,200,000 - 2,000,000 | High |
| Cashier + fast sales | 800,000 - 1,500,000 | High |
| Prescription + patient tracking | 800,000 - 1,500,000 | Medium |
| Supplier + purchasing management | 700,000 - 1,300,000 | Medium |
| Multi-branch + consolidation | 1,200,000 - 2,500,000 | As needed |
| Offline mode + synchronisation | 800,000 - 1,800,000 | High |
| Margin dashboards | 600,000 - 1,200,000 | Low |
A single pharmacy with stock, cashier and prescription tracking starts around 4,000,000 FCFA. With multi-branch, robust offline and margin reporting, it reaches 8,000,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA. Timeline is short: about 4 months, with cashier and stock operational within 4 to 6 weeks.
Cutting stock-outs and expiry losses
A pharmacy's two hidden bleeds are invisible day to day: expired drugs thrown away, and stock-outs that send the customer to a competitor. A smart stock module acts on both.
| Indicator | No software | With expiry alerts |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry losses / year | 2 to 4 % of stock | 0.5 to 1 % |
| Frequent-product stock-outs | Frequent | Rare |
| Inventory time | 1-2 days/month | 2-3 hours/month |
| Margin tracking | Approximate | Precise per product |
| Reordering based on | Memory | Automatic thresholds |
| Module cost | - | 1,200,000 - 2,000,000 FCFA |
Cutting expiry losses from 3 % to 1 % on a 15,000,000 FCFA stock recovers 300,000 FCFA/year on that item alone, before sales saved by ending stock-outs.
Multi-branch and offline mode
If you run several outlets, the multi-branch module (1,200,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA) consolidates stock, sales and margins into one dashboard and enables stock transfers between outlets. Offline mode stays essential: the cashier must keep working during outages, with automatic sync on network return. Budget annual maintenance of 15 to 20 % of development for upgrades and support.
Mini case study
Mr Ndiaye runs a retail pharmacy with an average stock of 18,000,000 FCFA. He loses about 3.5 % of stock per year to unanticipated expiries, i.e. 630,000 FCFA/year. Occasional stock-outs on flagship products cost him an estimated 800,000 FCFA/year in sales gone to competitors.
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Custom software at 5,500,000 FCFA (stock + cashier + prescriptions + offline) brings expiries down to 1 % (saving 450,000 FCFA/year) and cuts stock-outs threefold (about 530,000 FCFA/year in saved sales), i.e. 980,000 FCFA/year gained. Operational payback lands around 5 to 6 years on these items alone, but far faster once you add saved inventory time and precise margin steering.
FAQ
How does the software reduce expiry losses?
It tracks expiry dates by batch and alerts in advance to sell down or return products. This typically cuts losses from 3-4 % to under 1 % of stock, i.e. several hundred thousand FCFA per year.
Is offline mode necessary for a pharmacy?
Yes, so the cashier works even during internet or power cuts. Budget 800,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA; syncing happens automatically when the network returns.
Can several pharmacies be managed with one system?
Yes, the multi-branch module (1,200,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA) consolidates stock and sales and enables transfers between outlets from a single dashboard.
How long to deploy the software?
About 4 months for the full scope. The cashier and stock management, being priorities, can be operational within 4 to 6 weeks for a quick start.
Can it be paid in instalments?
Yes, milestone payment aligned with each module's delivery is common. It smooths your cash flow and secures your investment step by step.
Let's scope your project. Share your number of outlets, priorities (stock, cashier, prescriptions, offline) and budget, and we'll frame the scope and offline mode suited to your pharmacy. 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.
