The 53-year old woman woke up on Monday morning knowing that she needed to call and make the doctor’s appointment. Evidently, the pharmacy point of sale systems indicated that no more prescriptions would be filled until new blood work was processed. The previous Synthroid prescription had included a 30 day dose, but the must recent prescription fill only included seven of the pills that needed to be taken every day.
As a result of the pharmacy point of sale systems across the country, patients are reminded about the importance of keeping regular doctor’s appointments and making sure that maintenance blood tests are run as needed. In the case of a daily medication like a thyroid medicine or high blood pressure and cholesterol medications, retail pharmacy systems make sure that the prescriptions are dispensed in the most accurate doses.
Global Pharmacy Point of Sale Systems Continue to Show Market Growth
The global POS software industry was worth an estimated $3.2 billion in 2014. Predictions indicate that these numbers will continue to grow as more and more pharmacists move to more comprehensive computer systems for both inventory and patient monitoring. Consider some of the many services that can be provided by the best pharmacy point of sale systems:
- Maintain accurate data of all prescriptions filled. With the touch of a keystroke, pharmacists are able to use their POS software systems to quickly access all transaction records for every patient. In addition to this function being fast, it also helps to ensure accuracy in all doses and quantities.
- Allow comparisons of patient signatures. Pharmacy POS systems that provide signature capturing can efficiently and accurately compare signatures from a current transaction to transactions in the past. A glaring difference will be noticed and the pharmacist will be immediately informed that further verification is needed.
- Provide opportunities for personalized service. While pharmacists of the past could easily have one on one personal conversations with each and every customer, current requirements for insurance verification and a checklist of other necessary information have made many prescription pick-ups robotic. A thorough POS system, however, can monitor proper documentation so that the pharmacist can again have conversations with customers. Maintaining personal relationships with a pharmacy staff encourages patients to remain loyal to a certain location, resulting in continued and increasing sales.
- Inventory and replenish most items. Detailed POS pharmacy systems are able to keep a running inventory of supplies and medications. Based on this inventory, the POS system can be set to automatically reorder supplies that are running low or, at the very least, alert the pharmacy staff of the need to reorder.
- Create real-time detailed sales reports. Pharmacy POS software systems can provide hour by hour, day by day, or week by week sales reports. As a result, businesses, both big and small, can determine what products are selling well and what products are lagging in sales. Instead of continuing to carry slow selling items that are taking up valuable shelf space, retail pharmacists can determine which products are the most profitable to keep in stock.
- Monitor drug allergies and other prescription problems. Small, local pharmacies used to be able to easily monitor the effects specific medications had on their patients, including any harmful side effects which might occur. As customer numbers grew, however, this task became more difficult. POS alert systems make the process of informing patients of possible allergic reactions to new prescriptions manageable and safer.
POS Software Can Help Pharmacies of All Sizes Grow Their Customer Sales
Independent pharmacies face a challenge when trying to compete with large retail chains. Competing against big box stores who drive customer loyalty through rewards plans and other incentives is not easy. The best pharmacy software packages, however, can improve customer services, improve inventory management, reduce employee theft, and drive promotions. In addition, these POS platforms can use mobile technology to remind patients of needed doctor appointments before prescriptions expire and, as a result, help reduce hospital patient readmissions. Conveniently, the same software providing these services can also monitor and promote convenient prescription delivery to homes.
The number of mobile POS terminals grew 111% to 9.5 million terminals between the years of 2011 and 2012. Is your pharmacy taking advantage of these technologies to stay competitive?