5 Top-rated POS System To Redefine Pharmacy Operations

A complex industry like Pharmacy requires a point-of-sale (POS) system that goes beyond the standard. This article will analyze and determine five POS systems that best specialize in medicinal drugs.

Key takeaways: 

• Shopify POS, PioneeerRx, BestRx, PrimeRx, and Square Retail are 5 POS systems that meet the specific needs and priorities of pharmacies and drugstores, such as inventory management, prescription processing, reporting, security, and customer support.
• Shopify POS may not be specifically designed for the pharmacy industry, it offers specific features and add-ons suitable for managing a drugstore, including security compliance, invetory management, customer management, etc.

TOP 5 POS FOR PHARMACY

Shopify POS

Shopify POS is the first name mentioned as a comprehensive and extensive solution for businesses.

Why Do We Choose Shopify POS System For Pharmacy?

Prescription Management

A Shopify POS’s centralized system for storing and organizing prescription information allows pharmacists to input and store patient details, medication names, dosages, and special instructions. They can also monitor the status of prescriptions, from filling to being picked up by patients, by following real-time inventory updates.

Shopify POS offers the ability to set up automated prescription refill reminders for patients. Pharmacists can configure the system to send reminders to patients when their medications are due for a refill. This feature ensures quality care for customers.

Data security

Shopify POS adheres to Level 1 PCI DSS standards, ensuring a secure network infrastructure. This means it has implemented strong controls for access, regular monitoring, and testing of systems, and maintains a robust information security policy. The system guarantees that only approved staff members have access to sensitive data with its employee roles and management features.

Where Shopify POS falls short?

Built-in pharmacy management: Shopify’s built-in features may not include specific functionalities essential for pharmacy operations. Additional integrations with other pharmacy management apps or customizations may be required to address these specific needs, which incur an extra cost.

Who is it best for? 

• Independent Retail Pharmacies 
• Startups and Small-Scale Pharmacies
• Pharmacy Stores offers both online and in-person ordering
• Mail-order pharmacies

What do real customers say about it?

In the G2 evaluation, Shopify POS was rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. Opinions and feedback about the system are generally positive. Most G2 users were satisfied with the ease of use and extensive app ecosystem, which is absolutely friendly for users to adapt. In general, Shopify POS can meet the comprehensive demand to operate the pharmacy business; however, some specific features related to the industry must be improved and enhanced.

PioneerRx

PioneerRx is a leading POS system in the pharmacy industry.

Why Do We Choose PioneerRx For Pharmacy?

Advanced Clinical Tools: PioneerRx strongly emphasizes clinical services, providing pharmacies with robust tools to support patient care. It offers clinical decision support tools, medication therapy management (MTM) modules, drug interaction alerts, and comprehensive medication profiles.

Customer Support: PioneerRx is known for its exceptional customer support. The company offers personalized training sessions and ongoing support to ensure new pharmacies can make the most of the software. The dedicated support team is readily available to address inquiries, troubleshoot issues, and provide guidance whenever needed.

Where it falls short?

Compounding Functionality: Compounding pharmacies need comprehensive tools for managing formulas, batch tracking, compounding calculations, and quality control. While PioneerRx can handle basic compounding needs, pharmacies with extensive operations may require more specialized compounding software.

Who is Pioneer Rx best for?

• Retail Pharmacies Chains
• Independent drugstores
• Community Pharmacies
• Long-Term Care Pharmacies

What do real customers say about it?

PioneerRx has received a 4/5 overall rating from G2. Most pharmacists are satisfied with the specific tools they use to handle the medication industry at PioneerRx, such as integrating with diverse pharmacy software, complying with regulations, and upgrading digital prescriptions. Furthermore, customers may face little trouble considering PioneerRx due to the transparent price and non-prescription inventory tools.

BestRx

BestRx is another pharmacy management system that sparks a lot of arguments among pharmacists.

Why Do We Choose BestRx For Pharmacy?

Pharmacy-specific integrations

BestRx offers a fully integrated pharmacy POS system to enhance operations and leverage additional services seamlessly. The integration with electronic prescribing networks, medication synchronization programs, pharmaceutical wholesalers, or MTM platforms ensures accurate synchronization of sales data, inventory updates, and customer information.

Built-in loyalty program

BestRx allows pharmacies to create and manage patient profiles, track medication histories, and provide personalized care. Thus, the software supports loyalty programs, enabling pharmacies to reward loyal customers, offer discounts, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Where it falls short?

Online store tools: BestRx may fall short due to the lack of an online store tool. Thus, pharmacies can miss out on opportunities to showcase their products and services, provide medication information such as prescription information, refill requests, or medication adherence reminders, and engage with customers through an online platform.

Who is BestRx best for?

• Retail Pharmacies
• Outpatient Clinics
• Long-Term Care Facilities
• Community Health Centers

What do real customers say about BestRx?

G2 has claimed an evaluation of 3/5 stars. The primary issue comes from the limitation of online stores that users can not be able to experience enough of the extensive functions of a POS system. The high upfront price is another potential factor. On the other hand, customers have positive feedback about the basic functionalities that BestRx could bring to run their business efficiently.

PrimeRx

PrimeRx is a revolutionary healthcare technology that redefines how medical professionals manage and deliver patient treatments.

Why Do We Choose PrimeRx For Pharmacy?

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) monitoring

Through real-time tracking and monitoring of PSE sales, automated purchase limit monitoring, integrated ID verification, electronic reporting to regulatory agencies, and comprehensive auditing and documentation, PrimeRx helps pharmacies maintain strict compliance and contribute to the safety of their communities.

Credit Card/FSA Processing

By integrating credit card processing, streamlining FSA payment processing, ensuring security and compliance, and enhancing the overall customer experience, PrimeRx empowers pharmacies to optimize their payment processes and focus on delivering exceptional patient care.

Where it falls short?

User interface

While the system offers comprehensive functionalities, the interface design and overall user experience, may not always be as intuitive or visually appealing as other pharmacy management systems. This can result in a steeper learning curve for new users and potentially impact pharmacy staff’s efficiency and ease of use.

Who is PrimeRx best for?

• Independent Retail Pharmacies
• Multi-Location Pharmacy Chains
• Long-Term Care Facilities
• Specialty Pharmacies

What do real customers say about PrimeRx?

PrimeRx earned 4.4/5 of G2’s evaluation. Its efficient workflow and specific tool to approach the medication field impressed most customers. However, some get confused due to the unavailability of 24/7 customer support and the cost of adding modules to the system.

Square Retail

Square Retail is a comprehensive POS system that can unlock new possibilities for retail pharmacies.

Why Do We Choose Square Retail System For Pharmacy?

Omnichannel capabilities

Square Retail’s integration with an online store enables customers to place orders and make secure online payments. Then, they can pick up the cart at any store or use delivery services. The system synchronizes inventory levels in real-time, ensuring accurate stock availability for the customer’s order.

Square Retail provides a centralized customer profile system encompassing in-store and online customer interactions, allowing pharmacies to maintain a holistic view of their customers’ profiles. Thus, pharmacies can offer tailored promotions and targeted marketing campaigns.

Mobility and Flexibility

Square processes transactions and manages operations beyond the traditional pharmacy counter. With Square’s mobile app and card readers, pharmacies can conduct sales at various locations, such as health fairs or community events. This flexibility enhances the convenience and accessibility of pharmacy services, meeting customers’ evolving needs.

Where it falls short?

Cost-Effectiveness: Square Retail’s pricing structure may not be optimized for businesses operating in multiple locations. It offers a free version for businesses getting started but is limited to a single location only. With each additional location of the Plus plan, there are additional software fees. Thus, it is challenging for pharmacies that want to scale up.

Who is Square Retail best for?

• Retail Pharmacies with a single location
• Remote vaccination business
• Pharmacy Service Providers with limited budgets

What do real customers say about Square Retail?

G2 has stated 4.4/5 stars for Square Retail. The system is not specifically built for the pharmacy industry, so it lacks essential functionalities that leave customers unsatisfied, such as pharmaceutical sales and verification prompts. Generally, Square for Retail is still a good choice for new pharmacy businesses.

How did we evaluate Pharmacy POS? 

We compiled a comprehensive list of available options when evaluating pharmacy POS systems. Our research focused on identifying POS solutions that include pharmacy management tools or have add-ons apps integration capability to assist pharmacies and drugstores in effectively managing their businesses and achieve long-term development goals

We extensively researched customer reviews and recommendations for each pharmacy POS system to gain valuable insights from real users. This customer-centric approach gave us a comprehensive perspective on each POS system’s performance.

Key characteristics you should look for in a pharmacy POS

Ease Of Use 

Dealing with a vast array of medicines and complicated operating processes requires an intuitive and easy-to-navigate POS interface, allowing pharmacists to adapt swiftly and perform tasks accurately. Consider Australian pharmacies, for instance, where managing PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) prescriptions is a crucial daily task.  An effective pharmacy POS system should be equipped to handle this process seamlessly.

Inventory and Prescription Management

Inventory management features allow for the real-time monitoring of stock levels, tracking of inventory across multiple locations if applicable, automatic reordering of items when they reach a preset threshold, and the management of expiry dates, among other functions, which help prevent excessive stock accumulation and ensures stock availability at all time. Meanwhile, the prescription management feature ensures that prescriptions are filled accurately and efficiently, reducing the risk of errors.

Let’s take Canada as an example. Compliance with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is of utmost importance. This is where a POS system comes into play with its advanced inventory management capabilities. This feature allows pharmacies to track controlled substances precisely, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations and safeguarding against any potential legal issues.

Customer Database

In pharmacy businesses, customers are at the core, and an effective POS system should offer a seamless solution to manage their data. The POS should automatically capture and store essential customer details such as personal information, medical history, insurance information, and prescription records in a unified database for easy access during consultations or prescription processing. Moreover, the system should record each customer’s medication history, including refill dates, dosage instructions, and reported side effects. It should generate timely reminders or alerts to ensure customers adhere to their prescribed regimen.

Data privacy and security

Data privacy is a top priority for any pharmacy business, including the information of customers and medications. POS employs encryption techniques to safeguard data both at rest and during transmission. The system also stores data in secure databases with restricted access, ensuring only authorized staff can retrieve or modify sensitive information.

A reputable pharmacy POS system complies with relevant data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The system adheres to the requirements of these regulations regarding data handling, storage, and security.

POS integration with reliable payment gateways and compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) greatly improves the security and protection of pharmacy customers’ account data while allowing for broader payment options, especially for credit cards.

Apps Integration

Integration with third-party software is crucial for streamlining back-office operations, allowing efficient prescription and inventory management data flow. For example, pharmacists in the US often integrate their POS systems with Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, Electronic Health Records (EHR), and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to easily access patient records and control medication receipts.

The POS system, critical for recording transactions and managing inventory, can also integrate with an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to enhance patient interaction with pharmacy staff. Additionally, the pharmacy management system may partner with various service providers, such as:

• DHL for efficient order management, even sending customer delivery alerts or messages
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) uses an EHR billing system to streamline numerous back-office operations, ensuring data synchronization across platforms.

These third-party software integrations improve visibility and management efficiency in account receivables and insurance claims, optimizing the pharmacy store’s operations.

Reports and analytics

In a wholesale environment like pharmacies, POS must be able to analyze and generate a full report to check performance and manage inventory. It enables calculating the number of required medications and then drives sales and returns on investment (ROI).

5 Best POS Systems For Pharmacy: FAQs

How does a POS system work in a pharmacy?

A pharmacy point-of-sale (POS) system acts as the central hub for managing sales, inventory, and customer information. Here’s how it works:

• Patient Registration: When new patients visit the pharmacy, their ID, personal details, medical history, and insurance information are entered into the POS system.
• Prescription Processing: The POS system verifies the prescription information and checks for potential drug interactions or allergies.
• Inventory Management: The POS system then checks if the medicine is available.
• Sales and Billing: The POS system calculates the due amount and process payment. It can handle payment methods like cash, credit cards, or insurance billing.
• Reporting and Analytics: The POS system updates inventory instantly and records data for later reports.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): The POS system updates and maintains customer profiles and data for future orders.

The Benefits of Using a POS for Your Pharmacy

A POS system in your pharmacy can bring numerous benefits and significantly improve your operations.

• Enhanced Efficiency: A pharmacy POS system automates many manual tasks that save time, reduce the chances of errors and focus on providing quality patient care.
• Streamlined Workflow: Integrating various processes into a single platform facilitates seamless communication between different departments within the pharmacy.
• Accurate Inventory Management: A POS system allows you to monitor stock levels in real-time and streamline the ordering process. 
• Improved Customer Service: With access to patient profiles, medication history, and preferences, your staff can offer tailored recommendations and address customer inquiries promptly.
• Simplified Compliance: A POS system can help you adhere to these requirements by automating tasks such as prescription verification, drug interaction checks, and tracking controlled substances.
• Data-Driven Insights: Pharmacy POS’s comprehensive reports and analytics provide valuable insights into your business performance and help you make data-driven decisions to optimize your product offerings.
• Enhanced Security: A pharmacy POS system offers robust security features to protect sensitive patient information and financial data,  prevent unauthorized access and maintain data integrity.

What security measures does the POS system have to protect patient information? 

A pharmacy POS system incorporates several security measures to safeguard patient information and maintain data privacy. Here are some standard security features:

• Secure Authentication: The POS system implements robust authentication methods to prevent unauthorized access, such as password policies, two-factor authentication (2FA), or biometric authentication for user verification.
• Encryption: Patient data stored within the POS system is encrypted to protect it from unauthorized interception or access. 
• Secure Data Transmission: Utilizing protocols such as HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts the data during transmission. 
• Auditing and Logging: The POS system maintains detailed audit logs that allow administrators to monitor system usage, identify potential security breaches, and investigate suspicious activities. 
• Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: A reputable pharmacy POS system complies with relevant data protection regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.
• Regular Software Updates: The POS system provider releases software updates and security patches to address vulnerabilities or exploits. It is essential to keep the POS system up to date with the latest software versions to protect against emerging threats.

Bottom Line

The top five POS systems for pharmacies each offer a unique blend of features and functionalities, catering to different needs and scales of operations. While all are viable options, Shopify POS stands out due to its flexible nature, strong security measures, robust inventory management, and seamless integrations.