Pharmacy App Development: All You Need to Know Share: Biz4Solutions Date Published 23 March 2023 Categories Blog Reading Time 9-Minute Read Learn more about online pharmacy apps and their advantages, as well as existing business models, and standard development practices. Online pharmacy apps have become quite popular in recent years. Pharmacy providers as well as end-customers benefit from medicine delivery apps. Modern-era consumers prefer the convenience of online medicine ordering and doorstep delivery. Pharmacy services are utilizing apps as a tool for brand recognition and creating new channels for revenue generation. Building an online pharmacy app is a great way to grow your business and establish your digital footprint among your target audience members. This post explores pharmacy app development from different angles. A quick read will provide you with answers to the following questions: What is a medicine delivery app? What are the key business models of pharmacy app development? What are the major features to include in your app? What are the advantages of pharmacy apps? How do I go about the online medicine delivery app development process? Let’s explore the different aspects of pharmacy app development. What Is an Online Pharmacy App? An online pharmacy app allows consumers to order medicine online and have medication delivered to their doorstep. Buyers can choose from different options and reap the benefits of competitive pricing. Some pharmacy apps offer additional services such as online booking of laboratory tests, and preventive healthcare check-ups. Pharmacy App Business Models You need to choose the right pharmacy app model that serves your business goals. The two most prominent online pharmacy app development models are the inventory-based model and the aggregator-based model. Inventory-based Model The inventory-based online pharmacy app model is applicable for licensed pharmacy businesses that have a huge inventory of medication stored in offline stores or warehouses. Many of these businesses operate through various regions. This is how the inventory-based model functions. An e-pharmacy receives online orders from consumers. Customers need to upload a valid scanned prescription or an e-prescription while placing the order. Then, a certified pharmacist verifies the prescriptions and the pharmacy dispenses medication. Pharmacists pack the medication inside a tamper-proof package and deliver it to consumers’ doorsteps using their in-house resources or a third-party delivery service. Examples: Medlife, CareOnGo, Netmeds, and Myra. Marketplace-based Model The marketplace-based online pharmacy app model is an aggregator service. It connects consumers to pharmacy operators. It acts as a facilitator between licensed medication suppliers and end-customers. The owner of such a pharmacy app doesn’t have to have their own medical supplies. Instead, they connect with licensed medical providers or third-party pharmacies. The pharmacy providers registered with the app list their products on the website or mobile app. Consumers compare different pharmacies, choose products, and place orders. The marketplace app aggregates medication orders from end customers, processes orders, and sends those orders to external pharmacy delivery drivers. Such an app is also called a prescription delivery app. Pharmacies then verify the price and prepare the order. The pharmacy may also cancel an order if it isn’t accompanied by with a valid prescription. The end customers get home delivery of their orders through a courier service. Examples: PharmEasy and 1MG. Pharmacy App: Key Features Take a look at the basic and advanced features of a complete online pharmacy app development solution. A complete solution comes with different categories. Customer App Basic Features A UI that’s easy to navigate User profile with the necessary details Registration/Login Prescription uploading Category-wise browsing with advanced search filters Medication details, including usage instructions and possible side effects Comparison of medication prices across various pharmacies Substitutes for unavailable medication Saving order history and the option to repeat orders Order tracking Secured wallet system and multiple payment modes Advanced Features Automated prescription refilling reminders based on previously uploaded prescription data In-app chat for real-time interaction with a certified pharmacist Chat options for addressing consumer concerns Multi-lingual capabilities Voice commands AI-powered personalized recommendations Consumer loyalty programs (points for each purchase that can be redeemed) Admin’s Dashboard Basic Features User management and pharmacy management Order tracking and management Tracking-received orders and incomplete/ongoing deliveries Managing returns and refunds Report generation in a few clicks Order verification Managing inventories and earnings Real-time notification on stocks – low inventory levels and drug expiry dates Performance tracking analytics and reports Customized campaigns Advanced Features Consumer profiles integrated with EHR to get data on a patient’s past treatment history Aggregation with pathology and imaging labs displaying pricing information Number Masking to protect users’ identities (Only the admin & delivery agents have user information) CRMs for tapping prospects Vendor’s Dashboard Features Vendor profiles with delivery histories Status of medication availability along with timelines Push notifications related to order requests Management of order requests Real-time insights regarding medication delivery drivers On-demand report generation on orders, sales, and daily transactions Driver (Delivery Personnel) App Features Driver profile with the necessary details Tracking of location Information on delivery and order status Google Map integration to optimize routes Instant notifications for completed deliveries and new order requests Pharmacy App: Advantages A Consumer’s Perspective Online pharmacy app users enjoy better accessibility to medication delivery services and an elevated customer experience. An app allows consumers to order medication and other related products from any store regardless of their location. Consumers can search for the desired medication or medical equipment easily and quickly and from the comfort of their homes. Advanced search filters make searches more precise and save users time and effort. Users can get their prescriptions verified by licensed pharmacists. In short, they can be assured that they are taking the correct medication and the right dosage, ruling out any chances of grave errors. Users can compare medication prices and choose from multiple pharmacies. Some online pharmacy apps even allow consumers to schedule an order delivery at a time that suits them. For instance, one can set delivery hour preferences such as post 5 PM or weekend delivery. This benefits consumers with busy schedules. Real-time tracking enables customers to stay informed about the delivery status of their orders. The customer support feature helps users resolve their queries and concerns in real time. Reminders for taking medication and prescription refills before the stock of their current medication is over are an added advantage for individuals using a pharmacy app. Moreover, online pharmacy apps adhere to security protocols. Hence, consumers’ data is safe and their purchases are kept private. Patients can also get detailed information on a specific medicine and its side effects. Some pharmacy solutions offer add-ons such as online healthcare consultations and booking of emergency services such as those for ambulances. Such services are real deal-breakers for several consumers. A Business’s Perspective An online pharmacy app brings a lot to the table for pharmacy stores. Some examples are speedy deliveries of medication, 24/7 customer support, secure packaging, discounted offers on medicines, and crucial medicine-related reminders. As such, pharmacy stores leveraging apps can effortlessly gain customer loyalty. You’ll also be able to move your pharmacy business beyond the confines of your brick and mortar store and maximize customer outreach. An app helps pharmacy owners provide the amazing customer experiences that consumers are looking for. This applies not just to medicine delivery but also to other services such as medical tests and virtual doctor consultations. Modern-day pharmacy app developers are implementing more such disruptive features that add immense value to a pharmacy solution’s usability. The outcome is happy customers. Pharmacy apps are quite effective in creating new avenues of revenue generation and boosting sales of pharmacy stores, as well as pharmacy delivery aggregators. Key Steps to Developing an Online Pharmacy App Define the Scope and Functionalities Determine what purpose your pharmacy app will serve and which functionalities it will offer. Include a combination of generic and advanced features, as well as USPs. Pick the Correct Combination of Platform and Programming Languages There are a wide variety of platforms and programming languages to choose from. You need to pick the right combination that fits into your existing skills and use case requirements. For example, choose the programming language Java for the Android platform and pick Swift if you are targeting iOS. If you plan to go for cross-platform development (android & iOS), React Native will be an apt choice. Design the UI Create the UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design. While creating the design, keep in mind that the UI should be clean and user-friendly. Make an intuitive design that is easy to use. Develop the Backend of the App The pharmacy app’s backend will communicate with servers and handle crucial tasks such as data storage and processing. Develop the app’s backend to be reliable, scalable, and secure. Integrate the Necessary APIs An online pharmacy app requires integration with certain external healthcare systems and devices for certain functions. Because of this, you should integrate the necessary APIs so that your application can communicate with other services and systems such as EHR (Electronic Health Records), drug databases, and pharmacy management systems. Integration with external healthcare systems will allow your app to offer additional features and data to end customers. Test, Launch, and Maintain Your App Thoroughly test your pharmacy app to identify bugs and check whether the features are working as expected. For this, you can employ automated testing tools or hire a QA specialist for carrying out manual testing. We would recommend a combination of both manual and automated testing to achieve the best results. Once you are satisfied with your app’s usability and are sure that all the features are working as desired, it’s time to deploy your app. Launch your app in relevant stores such as the Apple App Store and Google Play. After your online pharmacy app goes live, maintain your app. Fix bugs and resolve issues at the earliest. You should also update your application with the latest features and security patches. Closing Views Developing an online pharmacy app can be challenging. It requires a combination of software development skills, interface design capabilities, and knowledge of pharmacy delivery operations. You also need to know about the ongoing trends and most wanted functionalities consumers look for in a pharmacy app. However, if you plan the product development lifestyle carefully, follow best practices, and comply with mandated regulations such as HIPAA, you can create a valuable solution. All that’s left to do is select the right software development service for executing your project.