As more UK pharmacies join online channels, including delivery apps, their own e-commerce stores and third-party platforms, one challenge keeps coming up: stock accuracy.
Whether a pharmacy is selling vitamins, skincare, personal care or OTC products online, nothing undermines patient trust faster than an order that must be cancelled because the item isn’t actually available.
This is where EPOS systems with real-time stock management become essential.
In this blog, we explore why accurate stock data is becoming a must-have for UK pharmacies entering online sales, and how it affects performance, customer satisfaction and revenue.
What is an EPOS System?
EPOS stands for Electronic Point of Sale systems (sometimes referred to simply as POS systems). At its core, an EPOS system is a modernised till that goes far beyond the basic functions of a traditional cash register.
What does an EPOS do for pharmacies?
An EPOS system integrates the sales process with powerful computer software and the growth potential of a web-based platform. This allows pharmacies to manage and improve a wide range of operations, including:
- Efficiently handling transactions
- Tracking stock levels accurately
- Gathering sales data for financial planning.
This strong digital foundation means a pharmacy can rely on its EPOS for everything from daily operations to planning for future growth. The flexibility of an EPOS is a huge advantage, allowing businesses to easily expand into new areas, such as connecting to an e-commerce website, managing online ordering services or integrating stock across multiple physical branches.
Popular EPOS systems in the UK pharmacy sector
Many systems are specifically designed for the unique regulatory and operational needs of UK pharmacies, offering features like integration with C+D (Chemist & Druggist) data and Patient Medication Records (PMRs).
Popular providers of EPOS solutions in the UK pharmacy space include:
- Positive Solutions (Analyst EPoS)
- Cegedim Rx (Pharmacy Manager)
- CSY Retail Systems (Vector EPOS)
- PharmaTill
- EPOSRX
Why EPOS matters more than ever in 2025
The way customers shop is evolving:
- More people search for health and wellness products online before visiting a pharmacy.
- Delivery platforms are now a mainstream way to buy everyday essentials.
- Digital convenience is no longer optional, it’s expected.
The UK online pharmacy market is poised for significant expansion, expected to grow from £48 billion in 2025 to £138 billion by 2031, driven by an 18.6% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). This rapid increase is fueled by the rising demand for convenient, cost-effective and contactless healthcare services, a trend that was accelerated and sustained by the COVID-19 pandemic’s shift toward digital medicine procurement.
And with the Government’s push towards a more accessible, community-based healthcare system, pharmacies with strong digital foundations are better positioned for the future.
A modern EPOS system enables a pharmacy to grow safely and efficiently online.
The problem: Manual stock management = missed sales
Many pharmacies still manage online product listings manually. But manual processes create three major issues:
1. Higher risk of order cancellations
If an online customer orders a product that appears “in stock” but isn’t actually on the shelf, the pharmacy must cancel the order.
This results in:
- A poor customer experience
- Lower visibility on online platforms
- Reduced repeat orders
- Algorithm penalties on delivery apps
The impact of this is severe: 70% of UK consumers are less likely to shop with a retailer after hearing about a negative delivery or post-purchase experience. Furthermore, 79% of UK consumers won’t return to a retailer after a poor returns experience, which includes order cancellations.
2. Slower operations and staff disruption
Manual catalogue updates steal time from the pharmacy’s core work:
- Clinical services
- Patient consultations
- Dispensing and checking
- Stock handling
A pharmacy may only need to update online stock once, but doing it manually for multiple platforms quickly becomes unsustainable.
3. Lost revenue opportunities
If a product is available but incorrectly marked as “out of stock,” the pharmacy loses sales it could easily fulfil.
Across dozens or hundreds of products, this adds up.
The solution: Real-time stock through an EPOS system
A modern EPOS system solves these issues by:
✔ Automatically updating stock levels
No more duplicate spreadsheets, manual edits or outdated catalogues.
✔ Ensuring only available products appear online
Reducing cancellations and boosting visibility on digital platforms.
✔ Saving time for the pharmacy team
Staff don’t need to update stock across multiple systems, the EPOS handles it.
✔ Improving customer satisfaction
Accurate listings mean customers receive what they order, every time.
✔ Unlocking better online performance
Platforms prioritise pharmacies that rarely cancel orders, meaning more visibility and more sales.
Why real-time stock matters for delivery apps
For pharmacies selling OTC and pharmacy products through instant-delivery apps (e.g., Just Eat, Uber Eats):
Stock accuracy is one of the biggest performance drivers.
Platforms reward pharmacies that:
- Keep catalogues accurate
- Minimise cancellations
- Offer a wide selection of products
- Manage availability cleanly
Pharmacies using LUDA Partners’ real-time connectivity with an EPOS system consistently outperform those running manual updates, often seeing dramatic increases in:
- Catalogue visibility
- Order volume
- Monthly revenue
- Customer ratings
LUDA Partners: Connecting your EPOS to the digital world
LUDA Partners connects community pharmacies to delivery apps for OTC sales.
With LUDA, pharmacies can:
✅ Sell on Uber Eats and Just Eat (with more apps coming!)
✅ Let us handle everything: listings, updates, optimisation & marketing
✅ Pay nothing upfront: only when they sell (10% + VAT per order)
✅ The EPOS synchronises stock in real time
✅ Pay no extra fees to the delivery apps
✅ Zero extra effort: once connected, everything runs automatically through LUDA
This means your EPOS investment generates direct commercial results.
What if a pharmacy doesn’t have an EPOS?
Not every pharmacy is digital-ready yet and that’s okay.
LUDA Partners also supports manual catalogues, although real-time EPOS synchronisation:
- Always yields better performance
- Reduces workload
- Prevents cancellations
- Improves ranking in delivery apps
Many pharmacies choose to digitise after seeing how online sales grow.
Conclusion: Real-time stock is now a competitive advantage
As UK pharmacies move toward hybrid physical-digital models, having a reliable EPOS system with real-time stock is a strategic advantage.
It provides:
- Better customer experiences
- Stronger online performance
- Higher sales
- More efficient staff workflow
- Fewer cancellations
- Improved visibility on digital platforms
And with LUDA Partners, pharmacies can turn EPOS accuracy into real online growth, without extra work or investment.
Want to sell your pharmacy products on Just Eat, Uber Eats or future platforms?
Our team can help you go live in just a few days.