The verdict in three sentences
A pharmacy managing its stock by hand loses between 3 and 7 % of its stock each year to expiries and suffers stockouts on its key references. A dedicated app (batch stock, expiry alerts, prescriptions, sales) brings those losses down to under 1 % and cuts stockouts on top references by 50 %. The cost of such an app ranges from 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA, batch traceability included.
Manual versus a dedicated app
In a pharmacy, expiry and traceability are unforgiving. Here is the module-by-module comparison, a 2026 order of magnitude for a pharmacy in Nairobi.
| Module | Manual management | Dedicated app |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry losses | 3 to 7 % of stock | < 1 % |
| Stockouts top references | frequent | -50 % |
| Inventory time | several days | -60 % |
| Threshold alert | none | automatic |
| Batch traceability | manual, fragile | mandatory, reliable |
| Prescription tracking | paper | digitized |
The per-batch expiry alert flags products near their limit date, letting you sell them first instead of throwing them away.
Cost, risk and gain per module
The budget adjusts to the chosen functions, but batch traceability is non-negotiable. Here is the indicative grid.
| Module | Cost | Risk covered |
|---|---|---|
| Batch stock + alerts | 400,000 to 600,000 FCFA | expiry < 1 % |
| + Digitized prescriptions | 600,000 to 800,000 FCFA | dispensing errors |
| + Sales and till | 800,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | traced till |
| + Reports and auto thresholds | 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | stockouts -50 % |
| Annual maintenance | 80,000 to 180,000 FCFA | regulatory updates |
Batch traceability is mandatory for a pharmacy: it lets you find and recall a specific batch in case of a defect, and secures each dispensing.
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Mini case study
Mariama runs a pharmacy in Nairobi with an average stock valued at 25,000,000 FCFA. Her expiry losses are 5 %, i.e. 1,250,000 FCFA per year thrown away. By installing a 700,000 FCFA app that brings those losses to 0.8 %, she now loses only 200,000 FCFA per year, a saving of 1,050,000 FCFA. The app pays back within the first year, before even counting the stockout reduction.
FAQ
How much does a pharmacy app cost? Between 400,000 and 1,200,000 FCFA depending on modules, plus 80,000 to 180,000 FCFA annual maintenance. The return comes mainly from avoided expiries.
How much do expiry losses drop? From 3-7 % of stock to under 1 % thanks to per-batch limit-date alerts. It is the main saving item.
Is batch traceability mandatory? Yes, it is essential to find and recall a batch in case of a defect, and to secure each dispensing. A good app handles it natively.
Does the app manage prescriptions? Yes, prescriptions can be digitized and linked to the sale, which reduces dispensing errors and eases patient tracking.
How are stockouts avoided? Through automatic threshold alerts that flag when to restock key references, cutting stockouts by 50 % on top sellers.
Let's talk about your project. We build your pharmacy app with batch stock, expiry alerts, prescriptions and reliable traceability. 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.
