By 2030, One in Five Americans Will be a Senior Citizen How Health Care Will Change
In the next 15 years, about one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. Since about one in every four elderly people takes eight or more medications on a regular basis, having reliable pharmacy software in place can make sure that pharmacies are a strong link in the chain of patient care. Accurate medication dispensing, coupled with in-house pharmaceutical consultations, can make sure that pharmaceuticals are going to the correct patients and in the correct dosages.
Pharmacy management solutions often include “point of sale,” or POS systems, which allow pharmacies to keep patients’ signatures on file, to maintain transaction records for prescriptions and refills, and to keep track of billing information for patients who use the pharmacy’s services. Pharmacy software can also provide pharmacies with more effective cash management; some POS systems are designed to keep track of coupons and customer discount cards that provide medication at lower prices.
An effective pharmacy point of sale system may also help managers negotiate better prices on popular products that they sell regularly. Some pharmacies offer an extensive selection of assistive braces, bandages, and other essential items like crutches and even wheelchairs; not only can pharmacy POS software alert staff when it is time to re-order popular products, but interested businesses can track sales and offer discounts on popular items. Increased sales may lead to bulk pricing from vendors in the future.
Local pharmacies are often popular with customers because they feel that they are receiving more personalized service from their pharmacists. Regularly consulting with pharmacists about the effects of prescribed medication can also assist patients when the time comes to visit their physicians’ offices; patients who discuss their conditions in detail with their pharmacists may be able to articulate continued symptoms, as well as to notice when they improve.
Some pharmacies also offer service to rural households and to individuals who prefer to be seen at home; mobile pharmacy POS services can ensure that patients who are seen outside of the pharmacy have their insurance information processed in a timely fashion and have the same access to services as in-house customers. As pharmacy software continues to evolve to meet the needs of an aging population, elderly customers should expect faster, more accurate service from their local pharmacies.