As remote dispensing and home delivery volumes increase in step, seamless and secure digital payments are a crucial enabler. It has brought the principles of ecommerce to pharmacy operations like compounding and dispensing.
According to the CommBank Pharmacy Insights Report1, 77% of pharmacies offer home delivery options and 94% are able to receive prescriptions via email, opening up new ways for patients to engage with their local pharmacy remotely and securely. However, only 39% of pharmacies report feeling very or quite prepared for a cyber security incident, reinforcing the importance of implementing robust, secure digital payment solutions for remote transactions.
Pharmacies that manage compounding, webster packs (also known as blister medication packs) or delivering sensitive medications like weight loss treatments often fill or prepare scripts before receiving payment. These are often pharmacies taking phone orders or sending repeat medications as part of customer accounts.
This may create problems for some pharmacies, including:
- Lost time chasing payments or invoices
- Delayed cash flow or revenue disruption
- Lost stock if patients don’t show or cancel
- Security risks from manually handling card details
- Inefficiencies due to disconnected systems or workflows
Enhancing remote payments for pharmacies and patients
There could be a better way for you to get paid. CommBank’s Smart Health for Pharmacies combines an in-store terminal with a remote payment solution (developed with our exclusive partnership with Scrypt Pay2), delivering the convenience patients expect from ecommerce payments-specially designed for pharmacy dispensing operations. Remote payments can help fulfil orders when customers aren’t in store and help pharmacies deliver a simpler payments experience.
With Smart Health for Pharmacies, you can:
- Take payments upfront
Send a secure SMS payment link once you’ve received an order. Get paid before compounding or dispensing, and avoid following up on payments or potentially wasting medication. No more patient or customer accounts. - Reduce errors and chargebacks
When you send patients a payment link, they can see itemised charges and catch any mistakes early before they process payment. - Improve efficiencies
Integrating with point-of-sale systems3 the solution provides almost real-time payment updates, automates reconciliation and streamlines the payments process, freeing up staff time. - Manage risk of fraud and scams
No need to manually enter or store patient card details. Secure links help lower the risk of fraud and enable compliance. - Enable discreet, remote dispensing
Cater to the growing demand for private dispensing of sensitive medications like GLP-1 weight loss treatments or medicinal cannabis without visiting a store.
Smart Health for Pharmacies empowers your pharmacy to offer secure remote payments, speed up your workflow, and provide patients with the fast, reliable payment experience they expect - just like leading ecommerce brands. No digital storefront or online shop is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ecommerce site?
No, with Smart Health for Pharmacies’ remote payments, you can send a secure link via SMS directly from your POS to a customer’s mobile device. You do not need a digital storefront.
Is Smart Health for Pharmacies secure?
Yes, the solution is encrypted, PCI DSS-compliant and uses bank-grade security controls. Customers enter their own details, reducing your risk.
Who is the solution best for?
It suits any pharmacy dispensing medications in-store or remotely. That includes compounding pharmacies, home delivery services, processing interstate orders and those sending repeat medications or sensitive treatments.
Is it only for remote payments?
No, you can take in-store payments using a Smart Integrated terminal or send a link requesting customers pay from wherever they are.
How quickly do I get paid?
If you are a CommBank Account holder, any payments made via the Smart Health for Pharmacy solution will be settled on the same day.
