Building trust and enduring relationships with your clients gives you a huge competitive edge if you own or work for a pharmacy. They want a seamless shopping experience; therefore, if you want to thrive in the competition, you truly need the best POS system for pharmacy.
This post will examine and rank the top 5 best POS for pharmacy. In addition to being some of the greatest systems for pharmacists and drugstores, these systems are made especially to boost productivity, manage health and wellness products, enhance client satisfaction, and simplify business administration.
Contents
- 1. Best POS System For Pharmacy: A Quick Look
- 2. POS System for Pharmacy Review: Our Top Picks
- 2.1. Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel pharmacies
- 2.2. DataScan POS: Best for integration with pharmaceutical wholesalers
- 2.3. BestPOS by BestRx: Best for mail-order and delivery pharmacies
- 2.4. Square POS: Best for small non-prescription inventories businesses
- 2.5. Moneypex POS: Best for multi-location pharmacies
- 3. How do I get started using a pharmacy POS system?
- 4. Final Verdicts
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. FAQs
1. Best POS System For Pharmacy: A Quick Look
A pharmacy POS is a computerized system that assists pharmacies in running their day-to-day operations. It is a hardware and software combo that can be used on mobile devices, online, or in physical places to manage pharmacy inventory, sales transactions, and customer data.
2. POS System for Pharmacy Review: Our Top Picks
The best pharmacy point of sale systems for 2024 are:
- Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel pharmacies
- DataScan POS: Best for integration with pharmaceutical wholesalers
- BestPOS by BestRx: Best for mail-order and delivery pharmacies
- Square POS: Best for small non-prescription inventories businesses
- Moneypex POS: Best for multi-location pharmacies
Now, let’s dig deeper into each POS system for pharmacy review and see what they offer or how they will benefit your business.
2.1. Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel pharmacies
Our rating | 4.2/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $5 – $89+ |
Hardware cost | $49 – $500 |
Feature Highlights | ✔ Online presence ✔ Prescription management |
Although Shopify POS was not created with the pharmaceutics sector in mind, it does provide features and add-ons that are appropriate for running a pharmacy, such as inventory control, customer service, security compliance, etc.
2.1.1. Pricing
Shopify POS Lite, which is a part of your initial Shopify subscription costs, starts at $5/month or Shopify POS Pro at $89/month/location. See their POS Lite vs POS Pro comparison here.
Transaction costs vary based on your subscription plans, starting from 2.4% to 2.7% + $0 per transaction.
2.1.2. Features
- Online presence: You can create online channels along with your physical stores to sell medical supplies or healthy products. Additionally, you can include a “Buy Button” on your company’s website and social media accounts.
- Prescription management: Pharmacists can input and save patient information, prescription names, dosages, and special instructions. By following real-time inventory changes, they may also keep an eye on the status of prescriptions, from filling to patient pickup.
- Data security: It has put in place strict access restrictions, routine system testing and monitoring, and a strong patient information security policy, all while adhering to PCI DSS Level 1 standards (The highest level of compliance for merchants and service providers that process over 6 million card transactions annually).
2.1.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Shopify POS retail hardware prices below:
- A Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader: 49$
- Shopify POS Go mobile device: $399 ($429 with case)
- Barcode scanners: $199 to $329
- Label printers: $299 to $499
- Receipt printers: $299 to $369
- Cash drawers: $139 to $159
2.1.4. Payment method
- Shopify Payments
- Cash
- Credit/debit cards
- Mobile wallets
- Loyalty points
- Gift cards
2.1.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for businesses that want to build a strong online presence to earn more sales.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for businesses that want to sell prescription drugs since Shopify has a restriction on those items and only allows them to sell some non-pharmaceutical products with strict rules.
2.1.6. Pros & Cons
2.2. DataScan POS: Best for integration with pharmaceutical wholesalers
Our rating | 4.8/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | Contact for information |
Hardware cost | Contact for information |
Feature Highlights | ✔ Wholesaler Shopping ✔ Purchase orders |
DataScan POS was designed exclusively for pharmacies and clinics, with the assistance of their pharmacy customers. This best POS for pharmacy is continuously being improved in response to client feedback, industry changes, and requests.
2.2.1. Pricing
Prices for this best POS software for pharmacy are not listed on the website. Instead, you are required to schedule a call with them to get custom quotes.
2.2.2. Features
- Wholesaler shopping: The system compares prices across all of your wholesalers to find the greatest deal on medical supplies. Meanwhile, you can track all previous outcomes and sales.
- Purchase orders: The system helps you to generate new purchase orders of pharmaceutical items based on reorder points by item. You can also manually choose the items that need restocking with an auto-shopping tool that helps find the best pricing.
- Equipment rental program: It helps you organize your pharmacy’s durable medical equipment (DME) rentals. You can monitor reminders, automatic payments, and schedule returns.
2.2.3. Hardware
No prices are disclosed for the DataScan POS hardware but below is a look at what you’ll get:
- Touch screen system
- EMV chip reader
- Cash drawer
- Barcode scanners
- Receipt printers
2.2.4. Payment method
- Cash
- Digital wallets
- Credit/debit cards
- Mobile payments like Google Pay and Apple Pay
2.2.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for businesses looking forward to working with wholesalers at great deals.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for businesses that want a transparent pricing structure.
2.2.6. Pros & Cons
2.3. BestPOS by BestRx: Best for mail-order and delivery pharmacies
Our rating | 4.8/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $90+ |
Hardware cost | Contact for information |
Feature Highlights | ✔ Multi-Site Management ✔ Vehicle Identification |
BestRx is a well-known pharmacy management system with robust features and great client feedback. For prescriptions, over-the-counter sales, and other things a local pharmacy might carry, it provides BestPOS, an integrated point-of-sale system that is marketed separately but integrates smoothly with BestRx.
2.3.1. Pricing
Prices for BestRx’s POS and pharmacy management system are not listed on their website. Businesses who now use the services, however, claim that the BestRx pharmacy management system starts at a high $210 per month, while the POS system starts at $90.
You will be required to pay an upfront installation cost in addition to these monthly payments. For price estimates, get in touch with BestRx’s sales representatives.
2.3.2. Features
- Mail order tools: BestPOS and BestRx collaborate to sell pharmaceuticals by mail order with automatic refills, mobile delivery, and two-way messaging for campaigns like flu season and automated refill reminders.
- Pharmacy-specific integrations: Accurate synchronization of sales data, inventory changes, and customer information is ensured by interaction with pharmaceutical wholesalers, medication synchronization programs, electronic prescription networks, or MTM platforms.
- Signature capture for electronic and mobile delivery: A signature pad that enables electronic signature collection is included with BestRx. This covers credit card, HIPAA, and prescription signatures. The electronic signatures are stored and can be obtained for reporting or auditing purposes.
2.3.3. Hardware
No prices are disclosed for the BestPOS by BestRx hardware but below is a look at what you’ll get:
- Integrated payment processors
- Touch screens
- Cash drawer
- Receipt printer
- Barcode scanner
2.3.4. Payment method
- Cash
- Credit and debit cards
- EBT cards and food stamps
- Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) cards
- OTC cards
- NFC-enabled cards
- Gift cards and more
2.3.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for businesses that want to boost in-person sales and mail-order delivery or pickup service.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for omnichannel businesses and pharmacies with a preexisting online presence since it doesn’t offer any online integrations.
2.3.6. Pros & Cons
2.4. Square POS: Best for small non-prescription inventories businesses
Our rating | 4.0/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | From $0 |
Hardware cost | $59 – $365+ |
Feature Highlights | ✔ Mobile POS ✔ Self-checkout |
The only system on our list of the best pharmacy point of sale systems that provides a free plan is Square POS, one of the best POS for small businesses overall. Although it doesn’t allow prescription items, this best POS for pharmacy comes with a full suite of tools and an intuitive interface for ringing up over-the-counter and non-pharmaceutical purchases.
2.4.1. Pricing
Initial software/installation fees: $0
Monthly software fees:
- Free: $0
- Plus: $60 per location (includes advanced inventory and advanced team management)
- Premium: Custom quote (for over $250,000 a year in payment processing)
Processing fees:
- In-person: 2.6% + 10 cents (2.5% + 10 cents for Plus Plan)
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
2.4.2. Features
- Mobility and Flexibility: Pharmacies can conduct sales at a variety of locations, including health fairs and community events, using Square’s mobile app and card readers.
- Integrations: Square does not have the tools needed for specific pharmacy functions like HIPAA forms but it integrates with a few medical-related software to make up for that shortcomings.
- Omnichannel capabilities: Customers can order non-prescription goods and make safe online payments thanks to Square’s interface with an online retailer. They can then employ delivery services or pick up the things from any retailer.
2.4.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Square POS hardware prices below:
- Payment Terminals: $349.99 to $415
- Cash Registers: $165.46 to $192.43
- Receipt Printers: $279 to $365
- Barcode Scanner: $59
2.4.4. Payment method
- Cash/ checks
- Credit cards
- Contactless methods such as text-to-pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
- Modern Payments Processing via the Square Terminal hardware
2.4.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for small businesses that sell non-prescription inventories.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for small businesses that operate in multiple locations or want to scale up since its free version is limited to a single location only.
2.4.6. Pros & Cons
2.5. Moneypex POS: Best for multi-location pharmacies
Our rating | 4.7/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | £25 ~ $32/month |
Hardware cost | Contact for information |
Feature Highlights | ✔ VPOS Touch ✔ Automation |
Moneypex POS offers the best comprehensive POS software for pharmacy for tracking supplies, managing medications, and managing prescriptions across all locations. You can also manage pharmaceutical items like price, restocking, campaigns/promotions, loyalty, and appointments.
2.5.1. Pricing
- Monthly fee: £25/month ~ $32/month
- Transaction fees: The fees enforced by the provider
2.5.2. Features
- Multi-shop Management: A single pharmacy point of sale software for store-wide inventory management allows pharmacists to move medicines or non-pharmaceutical products to other locations and view the inventory of every pharmacy in the chain.
- Stock & Supplier: You can electronically monitor supplier information, invoices, and medications acquired each time, as well as submit purchase orders and invoices to pharmaceutical suppliers.
- Batch & Expiry Tracking: This POS for medical store provides frequent medication expiration alerts and allows you to handle medications or cosmetics batch-wise.
2.5.3. Hardware
No prices are disclosed for the Moneypex POS hardware but below is a look at what you’ll get:
- Touchscreen displays and tablets
- Receipt printers
- Electronic cash drawers
- Credit card terminals
- Barcode scanner
2.5.4. Payment method
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Contactless methods
2.5.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for businesses that want to build a seamless workflow across different pharmacy locations.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for businesses that want advanced features for pharmacy management purposes since its feature package is not optimal.
2.5.6. Pros & Cons
3. How do I get started using a pharmacy POS system?
The implementation of the best POS systems for pharmacy may encounter difficulties such as staff training and adjustment, complicated system integration, financial limitations, and privacy and data security issues. The following advice can help you become proficient with the best pharmacy POS software:
3.1. Understand what a pharmacy POS system does
By learning about a pharmacy POS system, you may sketch out the tools and technologies that a POS system has to help your business. There are many ways to research this kind of information.
- You can find them in the website of the POS providers where they explain how their system works and will benefit you.
- You can go to blogs specialized in the topics of best POS systems for pharmacy to learn about them. For example, if you are reading this now, you definitely have gone through all the fundamentals of a pharmacy POS and are ready to choose one.
3.2. Try processing a prescription and make a POS transaction
Effective prescription and transaction processing is essential to every pharmacy’s operations. Thus, it is important to know exactly how to these tasks perfectly. That’s why you should spend time discovering the process, including:
- Scanning barcodes or choosing products from the product list to add them to the sale.
- Processing different types of payments by following the prompts.
3.3. Expect an onboarding process
The onboarding process with your team for a new POS for medical store is critical for your whole business operation to go smoothly. Here are some general guidelines to make the most out of it:
- Onboarding Time: Depending on the system’s complexity and the size of your team, you should dedicate a few days to a few weeks to set up and educate staff about the system.
- Training Duration: Practice makes perfect. Each employee should receive at least a few hours of focused training where they get to do the real tasks.
- Adaptation Period: This is a period of adjustment after training. As staff members become accustomed to the system, this may continue for a few weeks. This shift will go more smoothly with ongoing practice and support.
3.4. Take advantage of support
The availability of reliable support services for the chosen best pharmacy POS software is one of the benefits of POS. Therefore, in case you struggle with learning or applying the system into your business, you can reach out to the POS providers’ support teams for help.
Their timely and effective assistance from the best pharmacy point of sale systems may reduce interruptions, avoid downtime, and guarantee that any technical problems are promptly fixed to maintain business operations.
🔍 Discover our additional resources for your pharmacy businesses:
- How to Start a Pharmacy Business
- Top 10 Lucrative Pharmacy Business Ideas
- 90+ Unique Pharmacy Company Name Ideas
- Top 210 Inspiring Medical Business Name Ideas
4. Final Verdicts
Each best POS system for pharmacy in this list has its own strengths and weaknesses. That makes them a more suitable option in certain cases than the others.
Here is our verdict to help you find the right one:
- Shopify POS: If you want to create an impressive online presence, Shopify is the best since it has a powerful set of eCommerce tools.
- DataScan POS: It connects seamlessly with dozens of pharmaceutical wholesalers. So, if you often work with wholesalers, go for this POS to obtain great deals.
- BestPOS by BestRx POS: It is a great option for you if you only focus on in-person sales and mail-order delivery or pickup service due to its lack of eCommerce tools.
- Square POS: It offers a great place to sell non-prescription items and a free plan which is affordable to begin.
- Moneypex POS: If you want to offer a seamless working experience for you and your staff across different locations, it has a solution to help you with that.
5. Conclusion
We are pleased to present to you the 5 best POS system for pharmacy based on extensive research. These systems enable you to oversee a variety of patient-based and pharmaceutical procedures, and they offer training and educational materials to assist you become familiar with the system.
All of the best POS systems for pharmacy on this list are compatible with the management systems that are currently in place at your pharmacy. Yet, every business’s needs are unique, so carefully read our eComStart final verdict to make a well-informed decision.
6. FAQs
