SIXEXPERTTIPS FOR CHOOSINGA PHARMACY TECH PLATFORM
Independent pharmacies can mistakenly buy digital tools the same way they buy stock - price first, everything else later.
By Judit Mora, CEO of Nuumad, a digital-consultation platform
P
urchasing the wrong digital platform can lock in hidden costs for years. Borrow these six tried-and-tested checks from
larger corporates to make a safer, faster decision.
1. Put a price on time Before looking at software licence fees, quantify the hours the system claims to be able to save you – or squander. A quick formula helps: annual staff wage (£/hr) × extra or less hours the platform requires each week × 52. A £15/hour dispenser losing 10 minutes per script can erode tens of thousands of pounds annually once you scale to multiple branches.
2. Test real-world User eXperience (UX) Ask vendors for a test log-in, then map your entire prescription journey through the system from receipt to clinical check to hand-out. Count the number of steps involved in using the system – right down to timings, clicks, screen swaps and resolving any errors or prompts. Good UX should feel invisible; clunky flows result in manual workarounds and under-use.
3. Assess the brains behind the build Great platforms marry clinical insight with specialists in product management, data security and design. Ask for references from other pharmacies that have successfully implemented their software and proof that they are achieving the tangible benefits that the vendor has claimed.
4. Balance innovation with proof Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly emerging technology that can help with many areas of the pharmacy practice. It can help triage queries or pre-fill forms, but it is not yet trusted for final clinical decisions. Ask the vendor whether AI algorithms are explainable, audited and compliant with NHS Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
5. Examine the business model Check the vendor’s business model thoroughly. Some vendors may be selling aggregated data, advertising cross-subsides or impose a steep post-trial price hike. Request a five-year price schedule and look for transparent revenue
streams that align with your interests.
6. Verify data stewardship Health information is “special category” data under UK GDPR and NHS DTAC. Pin down where digital information is stored and if it is encrypted. Ask where servers are physically located, how long records are retained.
Judit Mora
The takeaway Top-quality platforms rarely have the lowest sticker price, but they repay themselves through time saved, safer workflows and room to grow new services. Treat selection as a strategic investment: run the numbers, kick the tyres on UX, probe the people and the business model and insist on rock-solid data governance. Choose well and the right tech will quietly power better care - and better margins - for years to come.
scotpharm.com 9
CHOOSE WELL AND THE RIGHT TECH WILL QUIETLY POWER BETTER CARE
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