Speed and convenience for repeat prescriptions in online pharmacies

Consumers often turn to physical pharmacies for quick access. Predictive reordering gives eCommerce pharmacies a real chance to keep customers from running out of essentials — and coming back for more.

For those relying on repeat prescriptions, remembering to reorder on time can be a constant challenge. Running out often means a trip to a local pharmacy for immediate access, especially when waiting even a day could mean going without essential medication. A diabetic, for example, can’t wait three days for delivery, and even next-day shipping isn’t helpful if they’re already out of insulin.

The same need applies to common over-the-counter items. When someone wakes up with a cold, they’re unlikely to order cough drops or nasal spray online, as relief is still a delivery away. This need for immediate access is a major reason consumers turn to physical pharmacies rather than online ones.

In the UK, 75% of people have used a community pharmacy in the past three months, compared to just 18% who used an online pharmacy. Of those who tried an online pharmacy, a fifth said they’re unlikely to use one again, primarily because they couldn’t get the medicine fast enough (Healthwatch, 2024).

This gap highlights a major opportunity for online pharmacy retailers.

90% of older adults regularly take at least one prescription drug, almost 80% take at least two and 36% take at least 5 different prescription medications (MSD Manual, 2023), each requiring timely reordering. Many risk running out simply because they forget to reorder, showing the need for a more proactive solution.

With a solution like the Predictive Basket, customers could trust their medication will always be available when needed. What would it mean for your business if every customer felt that level of reliability?

A smarter way to help customers reorder medication

The Predictive Basket helps customers stay on top of their pharmacy needs, eliminating last-minute stress about reordering their repeat prescriptions. By learning each customer’s shopping habits, it accurately predicts when they’ll need to restock. This ensures they always have what they need on hand, bringing peace of mind for customers and greater loyalty for you.

The technology behind the Predictive Basket tracks individual buying patterns, including purchase frequency and seasonal fluctuations. Using this data, it provides accurate reorder reminders and automatically creates a personalized list of recommended items. This list can be shown on the homepage, during checkout or sent by email. Rather than searching for items, customers can quickly fill their cart from this tailored list, ordering what they need without delay.

Businesses using the Predictive Basket have seen customers add an average of 2.3 extra products to their carts. Consider what that could mean for your bottom line.

About the Predictive Basket

The Predictive Basket is a one-of-a-kind solution powered by our proprietary algorithms and machine learning, designed specifically for industries where customers often rely on offline shopping like pharmacy and grocery.

KASTNER, one of Austria’s leading food wholesalers, has found customers embracing the Predictive Basket as a valuable tool. Maximilian Reiter shared how one customer called to praise it, describing it as an extra colleague who reminds her to reorder essential items. The Predictive Basket has boosted key metrics, increasing the average cart by 2.3 additional products per order. “These aren’t new products or cross-sell items. Customers would have needed them anyway — they just forgot to order them,” says Maximilian. “Our customers now trust it more than their own order history.” Customer service requests have dropped as well. With fewer reorder calls, they’re saving on logistics, reducing internal sales costs and keeping customers happier. Read the case study.

How the Predictive Basket supports pharmacy shoppers

• Seniors receive weekly repeat prescriptions automatically, removing any worry about missing a dose.

• Parents managing multiple prescriptions get tailored reminders to keep the whole family’s medications on track.

• For chronic conditions, the Predictive Basket aligns with long-term schedules to ensure supplies are always ready.

• Allergy sufferers get timely reminders for antihistamine reorders before allergy season begins.

• Winter wellness planners receive reminders to stock up on immune support vitamins, making flu season prep easy.

Addressing online pharmacy challenges

In online pharmacy, consumers face three main challenges: speed, convenience and personalization. The need for immediate access often leads customers to physical pharmacies, where they can get medications right away. Even with fast delivery options, an online pharmacy struggles to provide the same immediacy, especially for repeat prescriptions.

Convenience is another challenge. In a local pharmacy, customers receive a personal, hands-on experience. Friendly staff help locate medications, offer advice and remind customers of upcoming refills, creating an interactive and supportive experience. To compete, online pharmacies need to make the reordering process as smooth and connected as possible.

Personalization is also important in health care. In a physical pharmacy, staff can suggest alternatives based on a customer’s history, building loyalty and confidence in the service. Online pharmacy experiences often fall short of this personal touch.

The Predictive Basket addresses each of these challenges. It proactively reminds customers to reorder, helping them avoid last-minute shortages and supporting faster access to needed medications. It also makes reordering more convenient by offering reminders in a simple format. Plus, it personalizes the experience with tailored recommendations based on each customer’s habits, saving time and reducing stress.

Final thoughts

In pharmacy, customers count on fast, reliable access to essential products. Predictive Basket simplifies repeat orders, ensuring your customers get what they need when they need it. See for yourself by scheduling a demo today.