Pharma App Development in Canada: Top Features and Challenges To Know

Even though Canada is one of the most livable countries on the planet, it struggles to cope with the rising healthcare demands. Due to the rapid increase in population and rising digitization, mobile app development services have received a sudden increase in demand for pharma solutions. In one of our previous posts, we discussed the top features to have in healthcare apps, and in this post, we take the discussion a step further. 

 

In addition to features on the customer dashboard, a robust pharma app has a swaddle of equally good features for the staff, the admin, and other stakeholders in the system landscape. 

 

Before we discuss the challenges, here’s a quick run through the features to have: 

Every prescription delivery app is incomplete without a detailed admin panel. Adding a few more features to the app will not go amiss:

 

Dashboard

An app is incomplete without a Dashboard that visibly shows the deliveries, orders, customer details, third-party sellers, and vendors. For the admin, it provides on-demand access to information in the entire system.

 

Payment gateways

Different users prefer different modes of payment to pay for the drugs they purchase. Integrate the app with multiple payment solutions to ensure quick and easy payment. At the admin level, payment gateway integration provides access to all the users involved in the transactions, such as the customers and the vendors. 

 

Analytics

A detailed insight into the orders, delivery status, canceled orders, exchanges, returns, chargebacks, and payments is integral. Take the help of the analytics section in the pharmacy app for these calculations. 

 

Order tracking

The admin should be able to access details about the orders placed, delivery details, customer lists, etc. Make the information readily available.  

 

Customer support

Customers support us as an integral part of digital services, including last-mile delivery. Be prepared for incoming traffic of complaints regarding failed orders, returns, cash-backs, etc. Provide customer-friendly grievance support. Deploy bots, reply to all emails, and, above all, utilize the data for performance analysis. 

 

Built-in chat facility

For the back-end staff, the built-in chat feature provides immediate communication access with the customers, the drivers, and the vendors. As a part of the customer support unit, chat apps are a source of valuable feed for the analytics dashboard. They provide insights about the queries attended by the bots and the human agents. 

 

Users’ and suppliers’ management

A pharmacy needs proper management and upkeep. Admins are in charge and manage customers, registered pharmacies, suppliers, users, product demands, and orders. 

 

Challenges in Online Pharmacy App Development

Online pharmacy app development has to face its share of complications and challenges, such as:

 

FDA regulations

The FDA has laid down certain regulations for all pharma companies. Medical services are incomplete without the intervention of electronic devices. These gadgets make it easy to track the patient’s diet, prescribed medicines, and exercise routine in one go. 

 

At the same time, the FDA insists that people also need to follow a healthy and balanced lifestyle to stay fit and well. For pharmacy apps, it is essential to make suggestions within the guidelines of the FDA. Any mistake, no matter how small, could end up in penalties and revoking of licenses. 

 

Data security

The patient’s history and information need privacy at all costs. Online pharmacy applications need to keep the data secure and confidential. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, insists on maintaining the confidentiality of patients’ health data. If, under any circumstances, the patient’s history is shared with another doctor or hospital, then following the HIPAA rules becomes mandatory. 

 

The conflict between old and new enterprise systems

This is a critical challenge for app services offering app development in Toronto. Many hospitals are still distributing medicines according to the old system. They have not yet accepted this new innovative method of taking medicines to the patient’s doorstep. The medicine delivery apps are struggling to get a foothold in the business circle. However, with this new change, they have to deal effectively with the legacy medical methods of the old.  

 

Supply Chain Management

Maintaining a consistent supply of medications, especially during times of high demand or shortages, can be a logistical challenge. Ensuring timely delivery and stock management is vital.

Medication Verification and Authentication

Ensuring the authenticity of the medications sold through the app is a significant challenge. There’s a need to implement robust mechanisms to verify the legitimacy of suppliers and the quality of the drugs they provide.

 

Telemedicine Integration

Integrating telemedicine features into the app while complying with regional healthcare laws and regulations can be complex. Ensuring that remote consultations are secure, convenient, and legally compliant is a significant challenge.

 

Payment and Insurance Integration

Dealing with various payment methods and integrating with insurance companies to enable seamless transactions and claims processing is a complex task. Different regions may have specific payment regulations that need to be adhered to.

Medicine on the Go with Milliondev

It is inevitable that the healthcare sector will revamp its infrastructure and emerge more advanced. As a leading software service in Toronto, Milliondev is committed to offering world-class digital infrastructure. In the pursuit of the same, last-mile delivery services will become an integral part of the digital landscape. It is safe to say that this is the right time to identify the loopholes, associate with the right technology partner, and produce a more responsive solution. 

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