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International Pharmacy Platforms: 4 Strategies to Overcome Obstacles & Increase Profitability

Imagine a world where you could order any medication you need, no matter where you live.

According to a recent study by WHO, 2 billion people have difficulty accessing essential medications due to stock shortages or limited availability.

A global pharmacy platform could solve this problem by connecting pharmacies worldwide and ensuring a consistent supply of medicines.

However, building such a platform isn’t as simple as setting up an online store.

It requires careful planning, technological expertise, and a deep understanding of the healthcare industry.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key challenges and opportunities involved in building global pharmacy software solutions.

We’ll discuss topics like international regulations, inventory management, payment processing, and customer service.

By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of what it takes to create a successful platform and revolutionize the way pharmacies operate.

The Global Medication Shortage Problem

Medicine shortages are happening all over the world.

In Europe, a survey showed that between November and December 2022, 100% of the 29 countries in the EU reported shortages.

The biggest issues were with anti-infectives, respiratory drugs, and medications for heart and stomach conditions.

In the UK, there’s a shortage of HRT. In the US, hospitals are struggling to get liquid ibuprofen.

But it’s not just about low supply. Over-prescribing is a problem too. For example, the UK’s NHS loses around £300 million each year because of unused medicine.

That’s a lot of waste! A global pharmacy platform could help fix this.

It could connect pharmacies across countries, share medicine supplies, and keep stock levels healthy.

pharmacies across countries

How An International Pharmacy Platform Can Save Money and Open New Markets

Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anyone else. It’s frustrating and stressful for millions of people.

The high cost of medications leads to expensive copays, and sadly, some people can’t afford the life-saving drugs they need.

A global pharmacy platform can be the solution.

By using the price difference between countries, this platform can help Americans save big on their prescriptions.

For example, patients using a Canada to USA medication shipping app save around 50% on their prescriptions.

That’s a huge difference! Now, imagine expanding this idea beyond Canada and the USA.

You could tap into other markets where medications are expensive, like Mexico, India, or Brazil.

It’s not just about saving money—there’s also a big business opportunity here.

By focusing on affordability, you can help more people while building a profitable and sustainable business.

4 Key Challenges in Building a Cross-border Pharmacy Solution

Building a global pharmacy management platform isn’t easy.

Here are the main challenges you’ll face.

1. International Regulations

Every country has its own pharmacy rules, making it tricky to navigate.

For instance, the U.S. FDA has strict drug import guidelines, while the EU follows regulations set by the European Medicines Agency.

According to a 2023 report by IQVIA, regulatory compliance failures in healthcare cost companies over $2 billion annually.

2. Multi-Location Inventory Management

Managing inventory across different countries is tough.

Each location has its own stock levels, expiration dates, and shipping needs.

A strong tech platform is essential here.

It should include an inventory management system that helps you keep track of stock, manage expiration dates, and ensure smooth shipping across borders.

For example, a global pharmacy platform might need to track inventory levels in warehouses in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

This requires a sophisticated inventory management system that can handle real-time updates, track expiration dates, and optimize shipping routes.

3. Payment and Currency Exchange

Handling multiple currencies presents a major challenge.

A 2023 survey by PayPal found that 73% of online shoppers abandoned purchases due to currency confusion or high fees.

Your platform must support various payment methods, like credit cards and local e-wallets, while integrating a reliable currency exchange system to facilitate smooth transactions.

4. Customer Service and Support

Customers worldwide have diverse service expectations.

A 2023 study by Zendesk revealed that 75% of customers want support in their own language.

To meet this need, your platform should offer multilingual customer service and train teams on cultural sensitivities.

For instance, Alibaba’s localized support teams help build trust in over 190 countries, enhancing user experience.

By tackling these challenges with informed solutions and a skilled healthcare IT team, your global pharmacy platform can succeed in the international market.

Let’s Explore Solutions & Role of Tech Partner

1. Navigating Regulations

To tackle international regulations, partner with a health-tech team that offers more than just technical expertise.

Seek a healthcare-specific IT company with compliance and regulatory experts who understand pharmacy regulations across different countries.

Unlike general IT firms, they know the nuances that can make or break your platform, helping you avoid costly fines due to non-compliance.

This specialized team will keep you updated on local and international laws, ensuring smooth and legal operations.

By prioritizing health and safety, you’ll build trust with your users while successfully navigating the regulatory landscape.

2. Inventory Management

To manage inventory across countries effectively, partner with an experienced health-tech company.

They offer a tailored inventory management system to track stock levels, monitor expiration dates, and streamline shipping.

Their expertise in multi-location management ensures real-time updates and optimized shipping routes, making it easier to handle the complexities of cross-border operations and enhancing your platform’s reliability.

3. Streamlining Payments and Customer Support

A specialized health-tech company can provide integrated payment solutions like Stripe or PayPal.

They ensure your platform supports various payment methods and facilitates smooth currency exchanges, reducing abandonment rates.

Additionally, they can implement multilingual customer service systems and train your support teams on cultural sensitivities.

This expertise will enhance user experience and build trust across diverse markets, ensuring your global pharmacy platform operates effectively.

Case Study: Developing a Global Pharmacy Platform for Our Canadian Client

We recently teamed up with a Canadian client to create a global pharmacy platform.

Their goal was to make medication shipping easier and improve the user experience while following strict rules.

What We Did

Admin-Dashboard-Panel

We built a platform with key features like:

  • Admin Dashboard: This helps manage users, track orders, and keep an eye on inventory.
  • Medicine Store Dashboard: Pharmacies can manage orders and communicate with customers through alerts and feedback.
  • Patient Features: A simple design for users to make secure payments, track orders, and get customer support.

Challenges We Faced

One big challenge was dealing with international regulations.

We made sure to follow HIPAA and other important laws to keep patient data safe.

This meant putting strong security measures in place and staying updated on the latest rules.

Focusing on Users

Medication-Shipping-App

We also put a lot of effort into making the platform user-friendly.

We tested different designs to ensure easy navigation and personalized experiences.

This helped reduce the number of users who dropped off before completing their orders.

Planning for the Future

We knew our client’s needs might change over time.

So, we designed the platform to grow with them.

We added features that could handle more users and updates down the road. Plus, we included AI chatbots to assist customers in real time.

The Result

Medicine-Store-Dashboard-Panel

In the end, we created a powerful global pharmacy platform that met all our client’s needs. They can now easily ship medications and provide a great experience for their users.

Consider Adding a Pharmacy and eCommerce Integration to Boost Revenue

If you’re building a global pharmacy platform, here’s a thought: why not add a pharmacy and eCommerce section?

Since the pandemic, many healthcare businesses have been finding new ways to make money.

For example, telemedicine providers now offer online pharmacy services. And online pharmacies are starting to provide telemedicine.

This is a great chance for you!

By adding eCommerce, you can sell wellness products and medical supplies along with prescription orders.

You have a couple of options.

You can create a custom ecommerce section that fits your platform. Or, you can use an established eCommerce solution like Shopify.

Either way, adding eCommerce can help you make more money and give your customers more choices.

It’s a smart move for your global pharmacy platform.