The profit lies in the purchase - buying prescription drugs correctly
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Efficiency begins with purchasing
In a market in which the sales prices of prescription drugs are largely regulated, purchasing remains one of the few levers with which to actively influence gross profit, profit and unit benefit. This article shows how pharmacies can improve their profitability and secure financial leeway through targeted purchasing strategies. And without a great deal of extra effort in the already stressful day-to-day running of a pharmacy.
Purchasing as a success factor
"Purchasing is where the profit lies" - hardly any phrase describes the reality of pharmacy operations more aptly.
While sales prices are fixed by law, purchasing conditions can be actively shaped.
Every discount agreement, every bonus and every price negotiation has a direct impact on gross profit.
Those who regularly review their purchasing policy, use comparative offers and work with a clear supplier strategy achieve noticeable improvements in unit value. Just a few percentage points difference in the purchase price add up to a considerable additional profit over the year.
Note:
Carry out a purchasing analysis at least once a quarter. There is often hidden savings potential where nobody suspects it.
Typical causes of unnecessary costs
Many pharmacies do not exploit their economic opportunities in purchasing.
The most common causes are
- Outdated conditions: Discounts and bonus agreements are rarely updated.
- Lack of transparency: Prices and reimbursements are not regularly reviewed.
- Overstocks: Incorrectly calculated order quantities tie up capital.
- Lack of time: Purchasing issues easily take a back seat in day-to-day business.
Note:
Check your supplier contracts and discount agreements. Small adjustments can quickly lead to noticeably higher earnings.
Strategies for more efficiency in purchasing
1. actively negotiate conditions
The most important lever for higher profitability lies in the purchase prices.
Seek regular discussions with wholesalers and manufacturers in order to negotiate bonus scales or additional discounts.
Even small price differences can have a significant impact on gross profit, especially for high-priced prescription drugs.
2. bundle purchasing and structure suppliers
If you bundle purchasing volumes in a targeted manner, you can achieve better conditions.
Define fixed main suppliers, check their price trends regularly and, if necessary, supplement them with direct orders from manufacturers.
This creates a balanced mix of flexibility and efficiency.
3. use key figures
Efficient purchasing is based on transparency.
Regularly analyze key figures such as
- Gross profit per product group
- Average unit benefit
- Stock turnover rate
- Cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales
These figures show where you are economically strong and where optimization is worthwhile.
4. digitize purchasing
Digital tools enable price comparisons in real time, show potential discounts and facilitate the documentation of conditions.
Digitally controlled purchasing saves time, avoids errors and increases profitability in the long term.
Practical examples: Small adjustments, big impact
A city pharmacy with 20,000 package deliveries per month was able to reduce the average purchase price by 1.5% through targeted adjustments in purchasing.
This led to an additional profit of over 10,000 euros per year. Without any changes in sales.
A rural pharmacy reduced its stock levels by 12% by redefining minimum stock levels and only ordering rare preparations when required.
The result: less capital tied up, lower losses due to expiry and a noticeable improvement in profitability.
Tips for economical pharmacy purchasing
- Maintain your supplier conditions in the merchandise management system on a regular basis.
- Actively use price comparisons and document changes.
- Set clear minimum and maximum stock levels.
- Plan for seasonal peaks in demand well in advance.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about economical pharmacy purchasing
What is the difference between gross profit and unit benefit?
The gross profit shows the total margin, the unit benefit the profit per pack sold. Both key figures are important for managing profitability.
How often should I check purchase prices?
At least quarterly.
