The verdict in three sentences
Without expiry and rotation tracking, a pharmacy throws away drugs it already paid for and runs out of its best-sellers. A FEFO (first expired, first out) dispensary software alerts before the deadline, cuts waste from 3-6% to about 1% of stock and reduces best-seller stockouts by 40%. For 600,000 FCFA plus 30,000 FCFA/month in 2026, inventory drops from 2 days to 4 hours and margin gains points.
Manual register versus FEFO software
The paper register does not know which box expires first. FEFO software sorts every batch by expiry date and always offers the nearest one for sale, before triggering a restock alert.
| Criterion | Manual register | FEFO software |
|---|---|---|
| Loss from expiry | 3-6% of stock | ~1% of stock |
| Expiry alert | None | Automatic 90/30 days out |
| Best-seller stockout | Frequent | -40% |
| Inventory | 2 days | 4 hours |
| Restocking | By gut feel | Auto suggestion by rotation |
| Batch tracking | Impossible | By batch and date |
| Margin | Baseline | +5 points |
Costs and returns of dispensary software in 2026
A neighborhood pharmacy in Kampala ties up several million FCFA in stock. Cutting waste by a few points is enough to pay for the tool.
| Item | 2026 amount (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Management software (purchase/setup) | 600,000 FCFA |
| Subscription / hosting | 30,000 FCFA/month |
| Barcode scanner | 45,000 FCFA (one-off) |
| Staff training | 100,000 FCFA (one-off) |
| Waste savings (on 8M FCFA of stock) | +200,000 to 400,000 FCFA/year |
| Recovered sales (avoided stockouts) | +5% of revenue |
On 8,000,000 FCFA of stock, moving from 4% to 1% annual waste means about 240,000 FCFA saved per year. Add the sales you no longer lose for lack of a best-seller on the shelf, and overall margin gains around 5 points.
Mini case study
Ms Ndong runs a pharmacy in Kampala with 8,000,000 FCFA of stock. Before the software, she threw away 4% in expired drugs per year (320,000 FCFA) and regularly ran out of 3 best-sellers. With FEFO alerts, her waste falls to 1% (80,000 FCFA), i.e. 240,000 FCFA saved, and her stockouts drop by 40%. The software (600,000 FCFA + 360,000 FCFA/year subscription) is covered within the first year by savings and recovered sales.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
What is FEFO and why is it key in a pharmacy?
FEFO means "first expired, first out." The software always sells the batch with the nearest date, which brings waste down from 3-6% to about 1% of stock.
How much time do you save on inventory?
Inventory drops from about 2 days to 4 hours thanks to barcode scanning and assisted counting, while also reducing entry errors.
Can restocking be automatic?
Yes. The software tracks the rotation of each item and suggests order quantities, cutting best-seller stockouts by roughly 40%.
What budget should I plan for in 2026?
Expect about 600,000 FCFA for the software and setup, plus 30,000 FCFA/month subscription, along with a barcode scanner at around 45,000 FCFA.
How long to go live?
About 3 to 5 weeks: catalog import, batch and date entry, staff training and a gradual switch from the paper register.
Let's talk about your project. We deploy your FEFO dispensary software with expiry alerts, automatic restocking and express inventory. 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.
