Compounding has become wildly popular among independent pharmacies. With PBM reimbursements on a steady decline, pharmacy owners have sought out profit centers that no longer rely on PBM reimbursements. To run a successful and profitable independent pharmacy focused on compounding, you must use the best pharmacy software system. Top pharmacy management software systems include a variety of features and options to help you organize your workflow for both retail dispensing and compounding. Let’s explore the best software features to help you run a successful compounding pharmacy.
What Features Do I Need?
It can be difficult to figure out what features you will need in your pharmacy software, especially if you are new to compounding. It is important to be sure you’re using pharmacy software that offers a lot of features, but is also flexible, not only for compounding, but for the retail side of your business as well.
A Dedicated Compounding and Lab Workflow
This is one of the most important features within a pharmacy system to streamline your compounding needs. A compounding specific workflow will help organize your staff, their tasks, and build efficiency. Compound formulas can be created and verified, while batches can be sent to the lab to be mixed and then put through quality control tests and verification. Once batches are verified, they are added to your inventory and can be dispensed to patients.
Scale Integration
This is another necessary feature for a compounding pharmacy. Scale interfacing helps ensure compounding accuracy by automatically recording measured weights on your compounding logs and batch screens. The best pharmacy software systems offer integrations with different scale vendors. Datascan's Winpharm pharmacy software offers integrations with Ohaus and Sartorius scales.
Barcode Scanning
This increases accuracy in your dispensing and compounding. It's one of the key features within pharmacy software systems. Barcoding while mixing compound batches ensures your staff is selecting the right chemicals. In addition to barcoding while mixing batches, your staff can barcode through dispensing and verification as well. This ensures the correct product was dispensed.
Doctor Portal
A doctor portal makes it easy for providers to send in orders for compounded medications. The best pharmacy software will include a robust, easy-to-use portal that allows doctors to track prescription statuses, send in refills and new prescription orders, and even generate reports. Datascan's pharmacy software includes a provider portal at no additional cost, making it affordable for compounding pharmacies to offer convenience to patients and providers.
Compounding Logs
These are a requirement for your pharmacy, and the best pharmacy software systems generate compounding logs that can be printed at any time. Your pharmacy software should generate master formula logs, batch logs, and patient compounding logs.
Document Management
Integrated document management makes it easy for you to link documents to compound formulas and batches in your pharmacy software. Your pharmacy management system should include document management so you can upload or scan COA forms to be linked to chemical lots, custom monographs to be linked to master formulas, and much more! Datascan's Winpharm pharmacy system not only allows you to link documents to compounds, but to patients and doctors as well.
Point of Sale
A feature-rich pharmacy point of sale system is essential in any compounding pharmacy. The pharmacy POS will allow you to complete the checkout process for your compound prescriptions, charge credit cards, and create shipments and deliveries. Datascan's pharmacy-focused point of sale system seamlessly integrates with the Winpharm pharmacy software and also offers integrated credit card processing, as well as integrations to shippers such as FedEx, UPS, Stamps.com, and Endicia, and that's just the beginning.
To run a successful independent compounding pharmacy, it’s important to use the right pharmacy system– one that offers a litany of features designed to streamline your workflow. The best compounding pharmacy software includes features that help you build efficiency and accuracy in your compounding lab and throughout the dispensing process. If you are evaluating pharmacy systems for your compounding pharmacy, Datascan offers the most comprehensive compounding solution.
Reach out to our excellent customer service team to learn more about how Datascan software can help your business, and to schedule a free demo.
Kevin Minassian is the President of Datascan Software. Under his leadership, the company rapidly expanded to provide pharmacy management software on a national level. Over the last 15+ years, he has ensured that Datascan has continuously evolved to offer innovative solutions for independent pharmacies while still offering world-class customer support. He is passionate about helping independent pharmacies to remain competitive, achieve success, and offer the very best service to their communities.
