What is a pharmacy POS system?
What a pharmacy POS does beyond a cash register, the hardware you need, what it costs and how to tell if you are ready.
By the poso team · Updated
A pharmacy POS (point of sale) system is the software and hardware used at the counter to sell medicines and other products. Beyond a cash register, it scans barcodes, applies the right price and tax, records the batch sold, updates stock instantly, takes several payment methods, prints receipts and closes each day with a cash count. Modern pharmacy POS systems run in a browser and connect to inventory and accounting.
POS vs cash register
| Cash register | Pharmacy POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Records a sale | Amount only | Product, quantity, batch, price, tax, cashier, payment |
| Stock | No link | Updated with every sale |
| Expiry | No | Sells earliest-expiring batch first |
| Payment methods | Cash, sometimes card | Cash, mobile money, card, customer account, split |
| Reports | Daily total | Sales by product, cashier, payment, margin |
| Accounts | Typed in later | Posted automatically (in connected systems) |
What a pharmacy POS should do
- Scan barcodes and search by name or code.
- Sell a full pack or single units from the same stock.
- Record which batch was sold, choosing the earliest expiry automatically.
- Apply tax per product (many medicines are exempt or zero-rated).
- Take cash, mobile money, card and account payments, including split payments.
- Handle returns against the original sale.
- Limit discounts and voids by role.
- Open and close sessions with a cash count.
- Keep selling if the internet drops.
Hardware you need
| Item | Need it? | Typical choice |
|---|---|---|
| Computer or tablet | Yes | Any device with a modern browser |
| Barcode scanner | Strongly recommended | USB or Bluetooth, works like a keyboard |
| Receipt printer | Optional | 80 mm thermal printer |
| Cash drawer | Optional | Opens via the receipt printer |
| Customer display | Optional | Second screen facing the customer |
| Backup power and internet | Recommended where outages are common | Small UPS and a mobile hotspot |
What it costs
Cloud POS systems charge a monthly fee; some include inventory and accounting, others charge separately. Desktop systems charge a licence plus support. Hardware is usually a one-off cost for a scanner and, optionally, a printer and drawer. Compare the total over three years, not just the monthly fee. (poso includes the POS, inventory, purchasing and accounting from $29 a month.)
Is your pharmacy ready for a POS?
- You sell more than a few hundred products.
- Staff other than you handle sales or cash.
- You have found expired stock on the shelf.
- You don't know your daily profit.
- You plan to open another branch.
If two or more are true, a POS will likely pay for itself. Read the best POS for a small pharmacy.
Pharmacy POS questions
What is a POS in a pharmacy?
The system used at the counter to ring up sales: it scans products, records the batch, takes payment, prints a receipt and updates stock.
Do I need a POS system for a small pharmacy?
If you carry expiry-dated stock, have staff handling cash or stock more than a few hundred products, a POS usually saves more than it costs.
Can a pharmacy POS run on a tablet?
Yes, browser-based systems such as poso run on tablets; pair a Bluetooth barcode scanner for speed.
What is the best POS for a pharmacy?
One built around batches and expiry, with offline selling, cash control and connected stock and accounts. See the poso pharmacy POS system.
Last updated by the poso team.