Online Pharmacy App Development Features, Benefits, Process, And Cost

Online pharmacy apps are in demand as the digital healthcare infrastructure is being updated and expanded. With the help of online pharmacy applications, people are fulfilling their immediate and urgent pharmaceutical needs and other medical needs with the help of online pharmacy apps. 

Online pharmacy app development is a process that companies and healthcare institutions are taking up to create scope for better online engagement of patients and other stakeholders. A pharmacy app development company will be able to create a new and improved app that connects your company to your users so that you can get the best platform for more revenue and patient engagement.

Market Overview

If you have a pharmacy app development company in the USA, you need to understand the market scenario around the landscape and its forecast. The present market scenario of the pharmacy app development sector is diverse and promising. The use of pharmacy apps has been increasing as pharmacies expand to OTC drug segment, neutraceuticals, pharmacy segment skincare and cosmetics.

The online pharmacy sector is a good market to penetrate with virtual apps because there are fewer competitors because of the control regulations and rules that govern the development requirements and launch environment. It is not easy to enter the sector but once you enter it with a good digital app, it can be a well of revenue. If you are ready to create a good online pharmacy application to connect with the audience, an on demand pharmacy app development company can help you create an app that will have a competitive edge over others. 

The Online pharmacy app development sector is set to reach a valuation of around $15 bn USD in the next few years. The user penetration rate of the pharmacy application is more than 30 percent, and by the year 2029, it will be more than 38 percent which is great for pharmacies and hospitals as the institutions can create a strong user base in the future. With increased demand forecasted over the next few years, it is the best time to go for pharmacy delivery app development. By entering the pharmacy app sector with an advanced app, you will be able to tap into the sector with more than 8 percent growth.

What Is An Online Pharmacy App?

An online pharmacy application is a web-based or mobile app that can help people get pharmaceutical products to their doorstep. Online pharmacy apps are ones that people can use to research their medication and get the best kind of medicines and medical supplies at their doorstep. 

Online pharmacy apps are ones that reduce the hassle of getting medicines and nutrition supplements so that people do not have to go to a chemist or a medicine store physically to get the things they need. An online pharmacy app is a necessity for people and families as medical needs cannot be ignored and need to be fulfilled at the earliest. With an online pharmacy app, a patient can easily manage and use his prescription to get the medicines he wants and refill his medication very easily.  The essential need of an online pharmacy app in every family is something that you can capitalise on by creating an e pharmacy app with the help of a strong online pharmacy app development team.

Also Read: The Comprehensive Guide To Pharmacy App Development

Why develop an online Pharmacy App?

Choosing an online pharmacy app development company and creating a new pharmacy app can be a very profitable decision because pharmacy apps are very much in demand right now. This demand is only going to increase as there is new influx of different medicines and nutraceuticals as well as supplements that allow the creation of new channels of sales for pharmacies and hospitals.  

By creating a good pharmacy app, you can tap into the expanded customer base that is surely going to expand in the next few years, too. You can target the best audience segment and get loyal users so that revenue flow is increased for your company. With the increasing population and people’s health needs, it is easier for your company to target customers with a highly useful pharmacy app. 

An online pharmacy app can give you a clear-cut edge over other pharmacy companies and stores that operate in local areas and within a certain region. Through one pharmacy app, you can partner with multiple pharmaceutical companies in the USA to diversify the product offerings you have and attract more people to your platform.

Features Of Online Pharmacy App Development

Pharmacy app development features of Customer Panel 

Here are some important features that customers will need for their daily use.

Feature	Description
User Registration and Login	The application features should also have a simple and clear user registration and login portal, which helps in signing in and making the application easy to use for the basic user and manager of the profiles. With a simple user registration process, the user can create his profile within a few seconds.
Profile Management	The profile management feature allows the user to view and review his profile to manage different aspects as his health progresses through the years. The profile management feature is necessary for controlling the recommendations and features of the app in a personalized manner.
Prescription Upload	An easy prescription upload process helps in uploading and using a prescription virtually so that the medicines can be ordered according to the details of the prescription. The upload and removal of a prescription should be an easy and integrated process.
Medication Search and Filters	Pharmacy app development features should also make an effort to include advanced filters and a search bar in the layout to search for medicines easily and place an order. The categorization and use of filters in the application layout can make the search process easy.
Product Details and Reviews	The product details and reviews about all the medication and medical supplies should also be enlisted in the application so that a person can understand the medication and then buy it after going through all the information.
Add to Cart and Checkout	A pharmacy app should have a simple and visible add-to-cart option that works responsively and adds things to the cart. The shopping and checkout process should also be very smooth so that people can review what they are buying and then place the order by choosing their desired payment method.
Order Tracking	Accurate order tracking is also a process that has to be integrated into the application so that people who use it can track the orders they place and know when the medicine is going to reach their homes.
Payment Gateway Integration	The application for online pharmacy delivery should also have all the important features, a back end for multiple payment gateways, and payment options in place for users to use when placing an order.
Order History and Re-ordering	The pharmacy app should also have a feature displaying the order history of a person so that he can recall the medicines he has bought and reorder the necessary medicines every month or so. Reordering suggestions should come to the user from the app side.
Notifications and Alerts	The online pharmacy app should also have notifications and alerts built into it that give reminders and restocking alerts to users. The notifications and alerts should be prompt and integrated with push capabilities.
Customer Support	The customer support area of the application should also be handled properly with chat support and a portal integrated into the application. Customer support channels should be open so that patients can reach out to the company for troubleshooting.

Also Read: Best Pharmacy App Development Companies In The USA

Pharmacy app development features of Admin Panel

A pharmacy app should also have an admin panel that allows the company to properly maintain and improve the app. This panel should be linked with the back end of the application. Here are some pharmacy app development features of the admin panel

Admin Panel Features	Description
Dashboard and Analytics	On the admin and server side, the application should also have an integrated dashboard and analytics so that the app can be monitored and the user data can be analyzed properly.
User Management	Pharmacy applications should also have user management features to allow technical staff to manage user profiles and primary caregivers to control the app.
Product Management	The server side of the application should also have features for product management so that multiple products can be added to the listings, and the listings can be added as required. The product management features need to exist so that inventory and display of products are managed from the company’s side.
Order Management	Order management features on the server side and the user side should be there so that the orders placed can be updated, managed, and canceled or refunded when the need arises. Order management allows the proper management and completion of fulfilled orders.
Prescription Verification	The application should have a prescription management and verification feature so that users can get the prescription verified before getting the right medicines at the right dosage. Prescription verification should happen through multiple stages.
Inventory Management	From the server side, there should be tools for inventory management that are built into the application so that the company can manage the lists and the products available so that users get accurate information and know when a product is out of stock.
Discount and Offer Management	The company team also needs the pharmacy app development features of discount and offer management so that the marketing team can integrate offers and update the discount panel so people can avail themselves of the most recent offers and buy all the items they need.
Reports and Insights	Reports and insights of the application should be visible to the client side so that the management team can monitor how the app performs and works with the user base and get insights for further promotions and marketing action.
Payment Management	The application should also have features used for payment management so that the team can access the payment records and transactions to keep track of revenue generated from different sources. Payment management is also a feature that is helpful for users as they can manage their payment options.
Notifications Management	The app should have the pharmacy app development feature of notifications management, which should be open to the user so that he can manage the notifications that he gets on his device.

Pharmacy app development features of Pharmacist Panel

Here are the pharmacy app development features that should be included in the pharmacist panel in a pharmacy application so that pharmacists can manage the role-based access system.

Pharmacist Panel Features	Description
Prescription Review and Validation	Pharmacists should be connected by the application to the patient, and the application should have a prescription review and validation pharmacy app development feature so that pharmacists can look at the prescriptions and validate the medicines before a user places an order for the medicines.
Inventory Management	Pharmacists who have tied up with the online pharmacy application should be able to manage their inventory so that the products can be managed according to what is available in their stores.
Order Processing	The pharmacists should have access to the order processing system so that they can easily manage the orders and send out notifications about orders being dispatched and fulfilled.
Medication Information Management	The information about medication should be accessible to pharmacists so that they can validate the information and edit it to offer valid and relevant information to users.
Communication with Customers	A comprehensive pharmacy application should also have a portal for pharmacists to communicate with customers so that customers can get medical advice and coordinate with pharmacists about their orders.
Reports and Analytics	The reports about their product sale and analytical tools should also be integrated into the application so that pharmacists can know more about their sales and can improve them.

Pharmacy app development features of Driver Panel

The pharmacy application also needs to provide some features specifically for delivery drivers. Pharmacy app development features include:

Driver Panel Features	Description
Driver Registration and Login	A driver who is going to work with the delivery network should be able to easily register, sign up, and log in when needed.
Order Assignment	The driver should be able to see his order assignments clearly and manage his assignments easily with a single tap of the application buttons.
Navigation and Route Optimization	The pharmacy application should be integrated with the route plans and maps so that a driver can easily access the navigation and manage their order delivery routes to complete orders successfully.
Delivery Status Updates	The driver should be able to see the delivery status and update it so that customers get the update on time.
Proof of Delivery	There should be multimedia integrations so that the application allows the driver to upload proof of delivery and manage his orders.

Pharmacy app development features For In-house Couriers

The following are some pharmacy app development features for courier services that work with pharmacists and online pharmacy applications.

Courier Services Features	Description
Courier Registration and Login	The application should have a simple and accessible courier registration and log-in portal that people can log into for registration.
Order Assignment and Management	Order assignment and management is also a process that should be accessible to courier services through the app so that the service can view the different kinds of orders placed and assigned to them.
Route Optimization	The application should also have route customization and map access so that courier services can assign orders to their executives and manage routes remotely.
Delivery Status Updates	Delivery status updates should be visible, and courier services should be notified so that they can end the process and complete fulfilled orders.
Proof of Delivery	The drivers and customers should be able to upload proof of delivery easily so that the delivery process can be completed and the courier service can be notified of the status.

Some Important Features Of An Online Pharmacy App

Here are some more important features of an online pharmacy app that custom pharmaceutical software solutions.

Important Features	Description
Information about drugs and their comparison	The pharmacy application should have related drugs to a particular medicine, and all the relevant points about it should be added to its information. There should be an algorithm to compare different medicines with each other.
Barcode Scanning	A pharmacy app should have a barcode scanner built into it so that you can check medicines in real time and access information about them before reordering or buying them.
Scandit app usage	The pharmacy app can integrate with the Scandit app to include VR and AR visualization so the purchase process is more augmented and interactive for the user.
Order history	The pharmacy app should have a proper page of order history that can show the orders that the user has placed to date. This will help him recall which medicines to order.

Benefits Of Pharmacy App Development

Pharmacy App Development Benefits For Customers

Benefits	Description
Saves time	An online pharmacy app that can place an order for medicines within a few minutes and deliver medicines in one or two days saves a lot of time for people who have to travel for a long time to get their medicines. Some amazing pharmacy apps also offer their delivery services within the same day.
Convenience	The biggest advantage for a customer who uses an online medicine delivery app is the convenience of getting medicines at home and not having to search for the medicine at different chemist shops. The whole process can be completed at home and is very convenient for patients and caregivers.
Categories wise search	An online pharmacy app has multiple categories and includes a wide range of medicines, which again is very convenient for patients as they get all the medicines they need in one place. The search capabilities and easy filtering options of a digital app also make it easier for people to find the medicines they need.
Faster patient support	Because of advanced customer support portals, the application also enables faster patient support and resolution of queries.
Medicine availability and pricing	Through an online pharmacy app, people can easily access medicines as there is a higher availability of medicines on the portal. It is also beneficial for users because they can buy medicines at lower prices and with offers.
Medicine reminders	Such apps are very pharmacy app development beneficial for patients as they get medication reminders for everyday intake and also when it is time to restock their essential medications.
Drug info	Online pharmacy apps are also very popular because they include accurate and extensive information about a range of medicines that common people can access without having to talk to a pharmacist or go to a medicine shop. This helps in educating the audience.
Lower operating costs	A dedicated pharmacy app also helps in lowering operation costs for customers as they can get medicines at a low cost and with free shipping. This helps people get medicines on time, and they can take care of their health in a much better way.
Multiple payment options	The application also has multiple payment options, which help people choose how they pay and complete the order placement process.
Order tracking	Accurate order tracking with real-time updates can be beneficial for users as users can know where exactly their order is and how much time they have to wait before getting the things they have ordered.
Prescription uploading	The prescription uploading feature also helps the user view and manage their prescription virtually so that they do not have to rely on or store a piece of paper. All their medical needs are stored inside a phone or device.

Related: How To Develop A Medicine Delivery App Like 1mg In 2024?

Pharmacy App Development Benefits For Pharmacies

Benefits	Description
Attract more customers	By creating or partnering with pharmacy apps, pharmacies can increase their reach and attract more customers, which in turn increases the revenue they generate.
Admin panel	Pharmacists and pharmacies can also manage the app and its features through the admin panel to get the insights needed to manage orders and improve sales.
Analytics reports	The reporting mechanism and analytics tools of a good pharmacy app can help pharmacies understand the market they are catering to and improve their sales in a data-driven manner.
Customer feedback	The benefit of customer support and chat boxes in pharmacy apps is that pharmacies can get reviews and customer feedback firsthand from the application, which helps them stay in touch with the market.
Inventory management	For pharmacies, streamlined sales and order fulfillment happen when the inventory is properly managed. For proper management of orders, inventory management features of the pharmacy app help the pharmacies a lot.
Payment options	A good pharmacy app has multiple payment options, which opens up multiple revenue streams for pharmacies.
Pharmacist Panel	A good pharmacy app also has a dedicated pharmacist panel through which real pharmacists can connect with their customer base and take actions related to their professional field, creating a reputation for themselves.
Saves time	The pharmacy app connects all the stakeholders and elements of the pharmaceutical sector and saves time on multiple fronts, expediting the medicine delivery funnel.

Also Read: How To Develop An Online Pharmacy Apps Like Medscape

Pharmacy App Development Benefits For Businesses

Benefits	Description
Increase sales	Businesses that tap into the profitable pharmacy app development sector experience tremendous growth and exponential growth in sales as the user base expands and orders start to pour in.
A marketing platform	A pharmacy app is a platform to connect with real end users and also acts as a platform for effective marketing and brand promotions.
Convenience	The app also creates a factor of convenience in the way the company operates by taking a lot of processes to the virtual space and expediting the workflow.
Expanding client base	With the help of an On-Demand Pharmacy App Development Company, you can create an app that connects with a larger demographic and expands your client base by multifold because mobile pharmacy apps are more accessible to people.

Online Pharmacy App Development Process

The process to develop an online pharmacy app is as follows-

• Market Research and Planning

The pharmacy app developer will first carry out market research and initial planning to create the road map to e-pharmacy app development so that the whole process gets completed in a streamlined manner. 

• Choosing the Right Technology Stack

Once the roadmap is created, the team for online pharmacy app development identifies the technology stack needed for the complete design and development process. The stack includes the tools, runtime environment, and other details of resources needed for this pharmacy app development process. 

• UI/UX Design

The UI/UX designer team creates the framework for the pharmacy app development process and the overall layout of the application so that the developers can go on with the development phase. 

• Front-end Development

Front-end developers use technologies like React Native and Flutter to create the front-end layout of the application and complete the layout of the app. 

• Backend Development

The server-side development and the integration of databases are done into the application layout to add functionality to the features. 

• Coding

The coding team and mobile app developers create the modular architecture of the application so that the full-fledged app is complete. 

• Testing and Quality Assurance

After the complete development finishes, the testing team checks the app and tests it thoroughly for quality assurance and validation. The issues and bugs found in this phase are resolved by the development team.  

• Deployment and Launch

After the issues and risks of the application are mitigated, the app is deployed and launched with a marketing strategy so that it is quickly accepted by the users. 

• Post-Launch Support and Maintenance

After deployment, the pharmacy app builders also extend post-launch services and maintenance services so that the application is well maintained and easily runs with high performance.

Also: How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pharmacy App?

Challenges Of Pharmacy App Development

Here are some common challenges that online pharmacy application development faces when creating a pharmacy app from scratch. 

• Regulatory Compliance and Data Security

When pharmacy app development services create a pharmacy app, they also need to adhere to the framework of rules and regulations that govern data security and make the app compliant with legalities. As the app relates to the health sector, compliance can be a serious and challenging area to deal with. 

• Integration with Existing Systems

The process of integration with existing systems and OS can be difficult for the application as the development team has to check for the app’s compatibility with existing systems. The app might not function with some older OS and devices, which can cause a problem in the pipeline. 

• User Adoption and Engagement

The user adoption process and pace can be challenging for the healthcare app development company as this is something that cannot be predicted. The marketing team has to come up with innovative strategies from time to time to improve user engagement. 

• Logistics and Delivery Management

Setting up the logistics chain and optimizing the delivery pace so that customers do not face any problems in the order fulfillment process can be challenging, and the supply chain has to be managed over a long time period. 

• Keeping Up with Legal Changes

If there are legal changes in the compliance framework, the development team and the parent company have to make changes in the operational guidelines of the software. Frequent changes and updates can be challenging to keep up with.

Online Pharmacy Application Development Cost

• App features and complexity

The cost of online pharmacy application development depends on multiple factors, the app features being the primary and the complexity of the app. A basic pharmacy app will cost less than a more comprehensive and feature-packed application for the same purpose. For example, the cost of creating a basic online pharmacy app in the US and Canada is around $25000 in USD. 

• Development team

The development team that you hire for the pharmacy app-building process also plays a crucial role in determining how much money you spend in the development phase. The human resources that you hire and the team’s charges make up a large chunk of the final price. For example, if you outsource the development process, it might cost you lesser. 

• Location

The location of the mobile app development team and the economic scenario of that region also determine the amount you pay as fees for their services. 

• Development methodology

The approach and tools opted for in the development process also determine the cost of the resources spent in developing the application.

For example, an advanced online pharmacy app to be developed in the USA will be around $500,000 in USD. The approach and tools for development contribute majorly to the online pharmacy app development cost as a final investment.

Conclusion

The online pharmacy app development process is an extensive and resource-intensive process that has the potential to create a digital product that will generate a lot of profit for your company. However, to make this a reality, your team has to focus on the design, development, deployment, and promotion of the application so it engages with the user base to its full potential. By hiring a good pharmacy app development company, you can create an app that works smoothly and generates a lot of revenue.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the pharmacy app?

The purpose of a pharmacy app is to connect all the stakeholders of the pharmaceutical industry together and to create virtual channels for information exchange and medicine sales, as well as the availability of medicines to people.

What are the technology trends in pharmacy app development?

In the pharmacy app development sector, AI-powered chatbots, personalization, AR and VR, and telemedicine are some of the best technological trends at present.

How long does it take to develop a pharmacy app?

It might take from 3 to 6 months to develop a full-fledged pharmacy app. This timeline depends on the complexity and improvements of the application.

Why need a pharmacy app?

You need a pharmacy application as a user to order medicines and medical supplies for your health needs and get them to your doorstep. As a company or pharmacy, you need a pharmacy application to connect with the user base and expand your scope of revenue generation.