The Truth About Developing Pharmacy Apps In Canada | 2023

Did you know that pharmacy apps in Canada can make a big difference in how we take care of our health?

These fantastic apps can help patients feel better, make healthcare more accessible, and bring exciting changes to the medical world.

Let's dive into the incredible world of pharmacy app development in Canada and see how it's shaping the future of healthcare in 2023!

The Global Market of Pharmacy Apps

The pharmacy market is seeing an upward transition globally from $49.7 billion and $69.7 billion in 2018 and 2020, respectively, to $177.8 billion in 2026.

According to a survey, 20% of patients using the pharmacy apps felt 23% more satisfied than those not.

In Canada, pharmacy apps have become a popular choice among patients because of their various services. 

Instead of visiting physical pharmacies, people can now access these convenient features:

• Order medicines online
• Get doorstep delivery
• Manage prescriptions
• Access Over-The-Counter (OTC) products
• Explore health and wellness products
• Have virtual consultations with licensed pharmacists

Different Types of Pharmacy Apps in Canada

1. Medication Reminder Apps

These apps are designed to help users manage their medication schedules effectively.

Users can set up personalized reminders for taking medications, ensuring they adhere to their prescribed treatment plans.

Medisafe is one of the leading medication reminder apps in Canada.

It offers extensive features like

• Complete Medication Management
• Family Scheduling & Tracking
• 90+ Measurement Trackers
• Drug Interaction Warnings
• Refills & Appointment Reminders
• Resource Centers

2. ePharmacy Apps

ePharmacy apps enable users to purchase medications and other health-related products online.

They offer many pharmaceutical products and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

It allows the users to order from the comfort of their homes and have the items delivered to their doorstep.

PocketPills is the leading ePharmacy in Canada. It offers features like

• Discrete Packaging
• Free Delivery
• Automatic Refills
• Personalized PocketPacks
• Caregiver Support

3. Health Tracking Apps

Health tracking apps allow users to monitor their health metrics, such as

• Blood pressure
• Blood glucose levels
• Weight

These apps often integrate with wearable devices and other health monitoring tools to provide comprehensive health insights.

Headspace is leading this sector in healthcare apps. It comes with extensive features.

• Providers guided meditation to users
• Emergency SOS sessions for anxiety or panic moments
• Track meditation, score, and resource progress
• Allows to add mindful minutes to Apple Health
• Facilitates training and guides users with mindfulness experts

4. Telemedicine Apps

Telemedicine apps facilitate virtual consultations with healthcare professionals.

Users can have video or text-based appointments with

• Doctors
• Pharmacists
• Healthcare Specialists

This type of pharmacy app makes medical advice and prescriptions more accessible.

Maple Telehealth App is one of the most used telehealth platforms in Canada.

It is well-known for its service, which includes

• 24*7 access to doctors
• Prescriptions
• Sick notes
• Portale medical records

5. Medication Information Apps

There are apps available that offer comprehensive details about different medications.
These apps provide information on the proper dosage, potential side effects, drug interactions, and necessary precautions. 

Users can use these apps to obtain reliable information about their prescribed drugs.

Epocrates is an app preferred by pharmacists to calculate drug dosages and identify medical compositions with features like

• 600 dosing calculators
• Medical equations
• Drug interaction checker
• Pill identifier

6. Pill Identifier Apps

Pill identifier apps help users identify unknown pills or medications.

Users can simply input the pill's characteristics, such as color, shape, and markings, and the app will provide relevant details.

WebMD has emerged as a leader in identifying the pills for healthcare professionals and patients.

It is facilitated with the features

• Symptom checker
• Medication reminders
• Allergy tracker
• Doctor directory
• Drug interaction checker
• Customization and saving functionality

7. Medication Management Apps for Caregivers

These apps are designed to help caregivers manage medications and treatment plans for multiple patients.

They can track medication schedules, set reminders, and communicate with healthcare professionals on behalf of the patients they care for.

eCare21 assists the caregivers in tracking the patient’s activities with the help of wearables.

It bridges the data gaps to improve patient outcomes.

8. Pharmacy Store Locator App

Pharmacy store locator apps assist users in finding nearby pharmacies or drugstores.

Users can search for specific medications, check store hours, and get directions to the nearest pharmacy.

Medicine Shoppe Canada is an app by the McKesson Canada group.

• Find the closest pharmacy to you, get directions, hours, and view available services
• Increased access to your pharmacy and your pharmacist
• Access your prescriptions anywhere
• Faster refills for either pick-up or delivery
• Manage all of your family's health needs with a single account
• Find out what promotions are going on at your pharmacy.

9. Personal Health Record Apps

PHR apps allow users to store and access their health records securely.

These pharmacy apps can include medical history, prescriptions, allergies, and test results.

It enables users to share essential health information with healthcare providers easily.

OneRecord allows users to access their health records anytime, anywhere. Its users can add.

• Lab results
• Clinical notes
• Recurring health data
• Diagnostic and procedural information
• Prescribed medications
• Vaccinations and allergy information

This app even allows secure data sharing and multi-profile management.

10. Medication Adherence and Compliance Apps

These pharmacy apps focus on improving medication adherence and compliance through 

• Personalized reminders
• Educational content
• Gamification elements

These pharmacy apps aim to motivate users to follow their treatment plans consistently.

Dosecast outshines the rest of the medication-tracking apps with the following features:

• Dose reminders on your phone, tablet, or wearable device
• The option to take, skip, or postpone doses (think “snooze” button)
• Calibration across time zones
• Flexible medicine scheduling
• Customization of your medicines
• Multi-device cloud sync
• Review dose history and compliance

These pharmacy apps are divided into four main categories:

1. Customer App

2. Pharmacist App

3. Courier App

4. Admin App

If you're building a pharmacy app, choosing a tech stack that can accommodate growth is crucial. This means utilizing various programming languages like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android and implementing a database. We've created a table that outlines the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the app's features and technologies.

The Popular Pharmacy Apps in Canada

1. Shoppers Drug Mart

Shoppers Drug Mart is a well-known pharmacy chain in Canada that offers a mobile app with features such as

• Prescription refills
• Medication reminders
• Online shopping for health and beauty products
• Store Locator

It also provides exclusive deals for members of the PC Optimum loyalty program.

Pharmaprix is the Quebec counterpart of Shoppers Drug Mart and offers similar features through its mobile app.

2. PocketPills

PocketPills is a digital pharmacy that operates through an app, allowing users to

• Manage their prescriptions
• Doorstep medication delivery
• Personalized medication packs for easy adherence

3. Well.ca

Well.ca is an online health and beauty retailer based in Canada, offering a mobile app with a wide selection of

• Health products
• Vitamins
• Personal care products

4. London Drugs

London Drugs, a Western Canadian pharmacy and retail chain, provide a mobile app that allows users to

• Order prescription refills
• Shop health products and electronics
• Access exclusive deals and promotions

The Key Features of Pharmacy Apps in Canada

• Regulatory Compliance
• User-friendly Interface
• Secure Data Handling
• Medication Database
• Medication Reminders
• Pharmacist Consultation
• eCommerce Integration
• Health Tracking Integration
• Cross-platform Compatibility

The Medical Compliance Required for Developing Pharmacy Apps in Canada

Let's Explore the Key Points Together!

1. Features: Decide on the cool features you want in your app, but remember that more features might take more time and money.

2. Design & User Experience: Make sure your app looks great and is easy to use. This might need some extra time and testing.

3. Devices: It may take more effort if you want your app to work on different devices like phones and tablets.

4. Integration: It could get more complex if your app needs to connect with other systems, like health records or pharmacy databases.

5. Compliance: Healthcare apps must follow some rules, so ensure your app meets all the regulations.

6. Testing & Quality: Making sure your app works perfectly is super important, so testing might take some extra time too.

7. Expert Team: A skilled team is essential for a great app. The expertise of the developers and their location can affect the overall cost.

We're here for you! 

Step by step, we'll work together to create a user-friendly app that fits your needs and meets regulations.

Just “hit the contact” button at the top, and we'll guide you through the process.