The verdict in three sentences
A pharmacy quietly loses margin through two lines: expired products thrown away and stock-outs that send customers to the competitor. Management software with batch-level stock, expiry alerts, prescription handling and momo POS recovers up to −70 % of expiry losses and cuts stock-outs by −50 %. Return on investment shows up as early as the first or second month for a Lagos pharmacy.
Modules and their return
| Module | Gain | Dev cost (2026 est.) | Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch stock + FEFO | Expiry −70 % | 900,000 – 1,400,000 FCFA | 12-16 d |
| Expiry/threshold alerts | Stock-out −50 % | 400,000 – 700,000 FCFA | 5-8 d |
| Prescription handling | Traceability, compliance | 700,000 – 1,100,000 FCFA | 10-14 d |
| POS + momo payment | Reconciled till | 600,000 – 1,000,000 FCFA | 8-12 d |
| Supplier reordering | Optimized orders | 500,000 – 900,000 FCFA | 6-10 d |
The pairing of batch stock (FEFO — first expired, first out) + alerts is the heart of the system: it turns invisible losses into retained margin.
Three tiers for a pharmacy
| Tier | Contents | Price (2026 est.) | Target monthly ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Stock + alerts + momo POS | 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 FCFA | 300,000 – 500,000 FCFA |
| Growth | + prescriptions + reordering | 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 FCFA | 600,000 – 1,000,000 FCFA |
| Premium | + multi-branch + analytics | 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA+ |
The mobile money POS avoids till errors and speeds up checkout at rush hour, where every lost minute is one fewer customer served.
Mini case study
Awa, owner of a pharmacy in Lagos, posts monthly revenue of about 18,000,000 FCFA. She estimated expiry losses at 1.8 % of turnover, ~324,000 FCFA/month, and stock-outs as a shortfall of ~250,000 FCFA/month.
After Growth software (2,400,000 FCFA):
- Expiries −70 % → ~227,000 FCFA/month recovered.
- Stock-outs −50 % → ~125,000 FCFA/month of saved sales.
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Combined gain: ~352,000 FCFA/month. The software pays back in ~7 months on these lines alone, not counting inventory time saved and stronger prescription compliance.
FAQ
Is entering the initial stock slow?
It takes 1 to 3 days depending on catalogue size, but can be sped up with a supplier file import and barcode scanning. It is a one-time investment.
Does it manage batches and expiry dates?
Yes, each stock entry is recorded per batch with its date: the system applies FEFO and alerts X days before expiry (configurable window, e.g. 90 days).
Can it track prescriptions and refills?
Yes: per-patient history, refill alerts, and traceability aligned with local regulatory requirements on dispensing.
Does it work during an internet outage?
Yes, POS and stock run in local mode and sync when the network returns — essential so a sale is never blocked.
Let's talk about your project. We deploy pharmacy software that turns your expiry losses into margin within the first quarter. 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.
