When it comes to your pharmacy, there are few purchases that matter more than your software.
Your pharmacy software controls every aspect of your business, from scripts to clinical services to claims and adjudication. With so much riding on your software, you should be careful when it comes to picking the right one.
But with so many software systems on the market, you may find yourself overwhelmed. Luckily, though, you just need the right information to start your search off right.
Take the time to do your research, schedule demos with different vendors, and as you weigh your options, keep these five things in mind when buying pharmacy software.
1. Customer Service
88% of customers say that customer service is just as important as the products being sold — and pharmacy software is no exception.
When you consider your options for pharmacy software, don’t underestimate the power of a friendly face, a kind answer to your questions, or a quick phone call back.
This is the power of customer service.
In the context of pharmacy software, customer service is especially important when you first start using it. As with any new system, you’ll likely experience a learning curve with your software, and you need a vendor to help you through it.
Your vendor’s customer service will affect how well your pharmacy adapts to your new software system, and how successful you are while using it in the long term.
Before you purchase your software system, you can get a feel for the vendor’s customer service by scheduling a demo.
During your demo, you can check to make sure the vendor answers your questions, offers solutions, and helps you imagine their software in your pharmacy.
2. Feature Releases
You use features more than any other part of the software, and as you know by now, you need a whole host of features to run your pharmacy effectively.
This includes everything from managing finances to recording information to ordering inventory.
Ideally, then, the software you choose should include a wide range of features designed to tackle any task.
Along with currently existing features, you should choose a software system that offers regular feature updates — because the pharmacy industry never slows down.
The best software systems offer regular system updates and new features for your pharmacy, whether they be related to clinical services or billing.
Ideally, these features should be released on a monthly — or even weekly — basis.
With each new update, the vendor should offer detailed explanations on how to use the feature, why you should use it, and how it can help you to improve your practice.
3. Add-Ons, Integrations, and Other Services
While your base software should offer a wide variety of features, sometimes add-ons, integrations, and other services can take it to the next level.
The best software vendors work with third-party companies to give you even more features and capabilities — whether they be with point-of-sale, adherence packaging, automation, or digital marketing tools.
With the power of integration, you can access all of these features directly within your pharmacy software system.
A word of caution: add-ons can incur additional costs, so make sure you ask your pharmacy software before you sign the dotted line. Doing so will let you know what you can expect to get and how much you can expect to spend, so you won’t get a surprise bill later down the line.
4. User Reviews
Reviews matter, especially when you’re investing in something as important as pharmacy software.
You want a pharmacy software system that other pharmacists know and trust; and in today’s digital world, you probably read reviews online.
However, you likely know by now that not all review sites are created equal.
Many sites post (undisclosed) sponsored reviews or enable vendors to purchase positive reviews, so you won’t get unbiased information.
If you want to get valuable input, then, you have to sift through the noise.
As you consult review sites, keep these best practices in mind:
- Read mixed reviews — ones with pros and cons
- Verify the reviewer’s credibility
- See how the vendor responds to reviews
- Only read reviews that you can trust
- Ask other experts in the industry about their preferred vendors
A note on our site: Pharmacy Software Reviews compiles raw data from over 2,000 pharmacists about their experience with pharmacy software vendors.
We compile that data for you so that you can see which software pharmacists prefer and make the right decision for your business.
To learn more about how we work, click here.
5. Industry Involvement
As much as you want your software vendor to be in the office, creating new features and answering your questions, you also want them to be out in the pharmacy community — making connections, forming partnerships, and finding ways to better serve your pharmacy.
When you attend your state association meeting, go to your next NCPA conference, or take part in a CE event in your area, look around and find out which software vendors are there.
The ones out on the floor probably prioritize engaging with, and innovating in, the pharmacy software space.
In addition, find out other ways that software vendors get involved.
Do they partner with pharmacy organizations, serve on advisory boards, utilize social media, or engage with the industry in other ways?
If you find a pharmacy software vendor that stays involved in the industry, you can trust that their features, their service, and their innovation will be up to par.
Conclusion
Pharmacy software is a critical piece of technology in every pharmacy — and if you’re on the hunt for a new one, you should keep these five considerations in mind.
Reach out to the vendor, ask questions, schedule a demo, and do your due diligence to find out if a vendor is the right choice for you. Your pharmacy business will be better off for it.
