You’ve typed up the prescription. You’ve four-pointed it, filled it, and visually verified it. Now it’s time to give the medication to your patient.
The process of selling prescriptions seems like a relatively simple one. However, there is more to the point-of-sale process than meets the eye.
Selling a prescription goes beyond conducting a transaction. All sorts of factors come into play when at the last stage of the prescription process.
Though there are a few lesser talked-about aspects of the POS process, it is essential that your pharmacy software system can handle whatever transactional storm is thrown its way.
Here’s what you need to look into for your pharmacy software’s POS system.
Pseudoephedrine (PSE) Tracking
Apart from dispensing prescriptions and selling OTC products, your independent pharmacy likely sells pseudoephedrine (PSE) products.
A federally regulated item, PSE remains a high-selling product that treats sinus problems more effectively than its competitors.
The reasons why the government regulates PSE purchases are more than well documented.
Managing PSE sales is a vital part of your POS system. Ensure that your pharmacy software system tracks PSE sales in real time.
Though your patients are likely not abusing the medication, it’s essential that your POS system knows when it is too soon for another PSE sale.
Knowing when your patient purchases a PSE product again is a little tricky. Technically, they can purchase 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams every 30 days.
It might be difficult to make sense of the math, so a good rule of thumb is to tell them they can purchase another box whenever the one they have is supposed to run out.
Example: If your patient buys a 15-pack of 24-Hour Claritin D, they have to wait 15 days to purchase another pack.
Most of all, ensure that your pharmacy software system tracks PSE sales as they happen. Timeliness is a key factor in a pharmacy’s success, especially from a legal aspect.
Real-Time Prescription Information
Pharmacy work is full of different types of information. Whether you’re talking about inventory, software, medications, patient privacy, and beyond, every corner of pharmacy work has a rabbit hole’s worth of information.
It’s your job to tell your patients complex information in the simplest and most understandable way possible. Time is of the essence, and it is perhaps at its most essential when selling a prescription.
Your patient is here, and perhaps their prescription is not ready. Why? Your pharmacy’s POS system may be limited and you have to walk all the way to another computer and check why it’s not filled.
Wouldn’t it be more convenient if your POS system can provide all the information you need without you taking more of your patient’s time?
Have a POS system that provides you with relevant prescription information. Once you type in your patient’s name and date of birth, your POS system should show you the status of their prescription and an estimated time when it should be ready.
Though it’s inconvenient, at least make sure your patient has the information they need about their prescription. Transparency is key in these situations.
Workflow Updates
Your pharmacy’s workflow can change at the drop of a hat. No two prescription fills are the same and each requires its own amount of care and attention.
Because of this, you need a POS system that allows you to update workflow whenever needed. Have a prescription that’s due for tonight but the patient is already here? Use your POS system to update that with the push of a button.
Not only should you be able to provide patients with important information from the POS helm, but it should also expedite the filling process when necessary.
Though walking to another computer doesn’t sound like too much of a time-waster, those extra seconds add up. And in the forward-moving world of pharmacy, every second matters.
Medical Expenses Summary Printing
The main focus of your POS system should be convenience. The prescription process culminates with the point-of-sale stage, so you’ll want your POS system to adapt to the changing workflow at a moment’s notice.
Then there are medical expenses summaries. With tax season upon us, your patients will ask for a readout of all their prescription expenses from the previous calendar year.
Some pharmacies let their patients print their medical expense summaries out through an encrypted patient portal. Others require the pharmacy staff to generate the report.
If you’re in the latter, have a POS system that lets you generate a medical expense summary upon request. Tax season is one of the most stressful times of the year, so have a system that provides them with their reports in a timely manner.
Generating a medical expense summary should be as accessible and simple as looking up a patient’s profile for pickup. Just make sure the pharmacist on staff signs off on the report before you hand it to the patient.
Credit Card Storage
Patients tend to choose independent pharmacies over big chains for their reliability and friendliness. Long-time patients stay with your independent pharmacy because they can depend on you to deliver a convenient, personalized patient experience.
Even a patient’s payment method can come into play. Have a POS system that lets you store your patient’s credit card information on their profile, making the checkout process even easier.
Automated payments are all the rage, so make sure your pharmacy can make the patient experience even quicker and more convenient.
Conclusion
An effective POS system allows you to help your patient in several, efficient ways.
Whether it’s updating a “ready by” time, updating a patient’s profile, or printing out a medical expense summary, your pharmacy’s POS system should be in tune with the needs of your small business.
Like with anything with pharmacy software, there is no one-size-fits-all system. Find the one that works best for your and your independent pharmacy’s success.
Efficiency is the key to operating a successful pharmacy, so have a POS system that primes you for success.
