QR Codes For Pharmacy Business
Jonathan Palley
May 18, 2023
QR (Quick Response) codes have become increasingly popular across various industries, including the pharmacy business, especially during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of QR codes opened opportunities for innovative and seamless transactions between consumers and businesses without physical contact.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of implementing QR codes on pharmaceutical business and the various ways they can be used.
Benefits of Using QR Codes in Pharmacy Business
A Quick Response code or QR code is a matrix barcode used to store information from a website, document or even a phone number. It is a helpful tool that can help pharmacies track inventory, and provide medicinal instructions and contact information.
If you are not yet convinced, listed below are the following reasons to use QR codes in your pharmacy business:
Inventory tracking and medicines restocking
One of the known benefits of QR codes to pharmaceutical companies is that they can be used for efficient inventory management. This technology allows easy tracking of the movements of products from warehouse to pharmacy shelves.
By attaching QR codes to the products, pharmacy staff can simply scan them using their dedicated scanners to quickly update their databases with ease. It can also be used to monitor which products are running low and need to be restocked preventing stockouts, over products and expired products.
Simply put, utilizing QR codes streamlines the business operation to keep each and every pharmacy staff on the same page.
Easy Access to Product Information for Customers
QR codes can now be placed on prescription bottles, drug packs and packaging to link the patient to a PDF file with prescription, dosage and side effects information about the product. It is a quick and easy way to relay to patients the mandatory information they need before taking the medicine.
This also prevents patients from getting inaccurate and unreliable information when they search on the web. Thus, allowing them to make informed decisions about their personal healthcare and ensure the authenticity of the drug.
Directs Patients to the Correct Pharmacy location to Pick Up their Prescriptions
Most consumers are not familiar with a drug or medicine prescribed to them by their doctors. As a result, many brands and pharmacy businesses also use unique QR codes to point patients to the correct location for picking up their prescriptions.
Patients can simply scan the QR code from the pharmacy and they will be instantly directed to the drug aisle and shelf where they can find their prescriptions.
Remind Patients to take their Medications on Time
In today’s fast-paced environment, it is pretty common that we overlook our physical health. Scanning QR codes can allow them to set up alarms on their phones to remind them to take their medication. This is an excellent way for a pharmaceutical company to ensure that patients are in their best shape.
Contactless Transactions During Pandemic
We all know that the pandemic made a drastic impact on the way the pharmacy business operates. And although Covid-19 restriction has been eased, taking utmost value to our health is still important.
Aside from being a valuable data collection tool, creating and using QR codes provides a contactless way to accomplish transactions, reducing the risk of transmission between medicine suppliers and pharmacy staff and customers.
This promotes a safe and convenient mode of payment for customers as it does not require them to use cash or cards.
How do pharmacies use QR codes?
Some pharmacies are using QR codes to allow patients to refill their prescriptions via their smartphones.
Once a patient scanned a QR code using their smartphone cameras, this will take them to a mobile-friendly website where they can enter their prescription information. The additional information is then sent to the pharmacy, and the prescription is filled and ready for pickup.
Some businesses also use it as a way of displaying information about their brand, business and available products on their shelves.
There are a few ways to generate QR codes for businesses. Listed below are the following:
- One way is to use a QR code generator online like QR Code Generator Hub. This website offers free QR code generation with logo and color customization.
- Another way to generate QR codes is to use a QR code generator software like QR Code Generator Pro. This software offers more customization options for businesses, including the ability to create scannable codes for marketing materials, product information pharmaceutical packaging, and more.
How to Implement QR Codes in Pharmacy Business
Now that you know how pharmacies leverage QR codes, let’s get into the implementation of QR codes.
Creating a QR code does not require any technical or professional skills. As previously mentioned, you can use various tools online to get started.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating and implementing QR codes for your pharmacy business:
Step 1: Determine what type of QR code you want to create. Are you looking to link your customer to a Website URL, virtual consultation, product information or payment transactions?
Step 2: Go to QR Code Generator Hub to generate a personalized QR code for your pharmacy business.
Step 3: After entering the necessary information, download the QR code and test it on different devices. This process is crucial to ensure that the QR code works properly and can be used by anyone.
Step 4: Of course, once everything is set we are now going to use them for your store. You can display the QR code on product labels, packaging, posters or anywhere your customer can easily access it.
Examples of QR Codes in Pharmacy Business You Should Know!
As we have mentioned in the previous section, one of the reasons QR codes are beneficial is their varying uses for the pharmacy business.
Here are some examples of QR codes to keep in mind:
- Link to Product Information: You can create a QR code dedicated to educating customers on important details about their medications.
- Prescription Refill: Pharmacy businesses also use QR codes to allow customers to refill prescriptions remotely without the need for in-person pharmacy visits.
- Virtual Consultation: Scanning a QR code links customers to a website providing them with an option for remote consultation with a licensed pharmacist.
Conclusion
As QR code technology evolves, it is no question that it will soon become a crucial tool for a pharmacy business to succeed in the digital age. It is now vital that they continue to improve services by integrating QR codes for increased efficiency, to create positive patient experiences and to stay ahead of the competition.
To learn more about how QR codes innovate today’s businesses, feel free to visit our Academy for more educational content.
