Shopko’s mobile app enables customers to refill prescriptions, receive pickup and dosage reminders, and gain a complete view of their health information. Customers can also signup at the pharmacy counter for a text-messaging option to receive many of the same benefits as the mobile app and a mobile Web site can also be used to refill prescriptions.

“A mobile pharmacy platform enables Shopko to offer customers a highly convenient way to manage their prescriptions,” said Dana Marotto, director of marketing at mscripts. “Mobile prescription refills allow customers to easily and quickly refill their prescription through a variety of ways: respond to a text message, scan a bottle or type in the Rx #.

“The customer also no longer has to wait by the pharmacy counter since they get a text message letting them know as soon as the prescription is ready,” she said. “And when they talk with a health professional, they have a complete list of all their prescriptions via the app, including status and quantities.”

Easy health management
Shopko and other pharmacy retailers are discovering that customers appreciate how easy it is to manage their health and prescription needs from their mobile device.

Shopko’s mobile pharmacy solution was launched in 2012. The Shopko app and the mobile Web site m.skopharm.com operate on a secure network created by San Francisco-based mscripts.

The mobile app is available to download for free through app marketplaces as well as at shopko.com.

Shopko, Green Bay, WI, operates 350 stores in 22 states across the Midwest, Mountain, North Central and Pacific Northwest regions.

Mobile a must-have
Pharmacy retailers are embracing mobile to simplify prescription refills for customers.

Last year, Walgreens reported that 40 percent of the retailer’s online prescription refills are being filled via mobile devices (see story).

In March of last year, Rite Aid launched its first application designed to make it easy for on-the-go customers to refill prescriptions and manage their loyalty account (see story).

Additionally, CVS/pharmacy last year introduced a new SMS program notifying users when their prescription is ready to be picked up at their local pharmacy.

“Mobile pharmacy is definitely a must have for pharmacy retailers who want to remain competitive and offer superior customer service,” Ms. Marotto said.

“Studies have shown that convenience is the single most important factor in why a customer selects a pharmacy,” she said. “A recent survey conducted by National Association of Chain Drug Stores shows that 96 percent of customers said having a prescription ready when they go to pick up is very important when selecting a pharmacy.

“Mscripts enables any retail pharmacy to provide convenient, easy to use solutions leveraging technology that the customer is already familiar with – their mobile phone.”

Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York