The verdict in three sentences
A Lagos pharmacy managing stock by eye ties up 8 to 15% of its value in expired drugs, with no alert to clear them in time. The fix is twofold: an expiry alert that cuts loss to 2-4% and a barcode that speeds counter sales by 40% (2026 order-of-magnitude estimate). What's left is choosing between a subscription pharmacy tool and a custom app that pays off over three years.
SaaS pharmacy software or custom app
SaaS installs fast and bills monthly. Custom costs more upfront but fits your workflow, with no fee and no seat limit.
| Criterion | SaaS pharmacy software | Custom app |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 FCFA | 3,500,000 – 6,000,000 FCFA |
| Monthly subscription | 40,000 – 85,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| 3-year cost | 1,440,000 – 3,060,000 FCFA | 3,500,000 – 6,000,000 FCFA |
| Expiry alert | Standard | Custom (thresholds, batches) |
| Customer prescription history | Vendor-dependent | Complete |
| Mobile money at counter | Vendor-dependent | Integrated |
| Auto reorder on threshold | Yes | Yes, configurable |
Where the money comes back
Gains cluster on two lines: avoided loss on expired stock and time saved at the counter. A pharmacy technician costs about 130,000 FCFA/month; barcodes give back advisory time.
| Line item | Without app | With app | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expired stock | 8 – 15% | 2 – 4% | up to 11 points |
| Sale time per customer | Baseline | −40% | Shorter queues |
| Stockout on key product | Frequent | Auto reorder on threshold | Fewer lost sales |
| Cash-desk error | Possible | Traced mobile money payment | Near zero |
| Faulty batch recall | Manual | Instant batch lookup | Immediate |
Mini case study
Ibrahim runs a Lagos pharmacy with stock valued at 25,000,000 FCFA. At 12% expired, he threw out 3,000,000 FCFA of drugs a year. With an expiry alert cutting loss to 3%, he loses only 750,000 FCFA, meaning 2,250,000 FCFA saved a year. Add barcodes clearing 40% more customers at peak, and a 4,500,000 FCFA custom app pays for itself in a little over two years on avoided loss alone, faster once you count won sales.
FAQ
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How much does a custom pharmacy app cost in 2026?
Budget 3,500,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA for a custom build with stock, expiry alerts, barcodes and prescription history. SaaS software runs 40,000 – 85,000 FCFA/month.
Does the expiry alert really cut losses?
Yes. By flagging batches near their date, it lets you clear or return them in time. Loss typically drops from 8-15% to 2-4% of stock value.
Do barcodes really speed up sales?
A scan replaces manual price and reference lookup. Processing time per customer falls about 40%, shrinking peak-hour queues.
Can we take mobile money at the counter?
Yes. Mobile money payment is built into checkout, traced automatically, which removes cash-desk errors and eases end-of-day reconciliation.
Is prescription history kept per customer?
Each customer has a consultable history, useful for chronic treatments and dosage checks. Data stays hosted per your choice of solution.
Let's talk about your project. We'll price your pharmacy software or custom app with expiry alerts and mobile money payment. 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.
