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Written byMark Okiki

Pharmacy team preparing healthcare deliveries
Pharmacy pricing guide

How do you calculate the cost per prescription delivery?

Calculate cost per prescription delivery by adding every delivery-related cost for a defined period, then dividing by the number of completed prescription deliveries. Include labour, vehicle costs, packaging, courier charges, customer support, failed drops and redelivery work so the result reflects the real operating cost.

Discuss your pharmacy delivery setup

The operator view

A simple formula for a useful delivery metric

Cost per delivery is only meaningful when the numerator and denominator are clearly defined. Decide whether you are measuring completed drops, attempted drops or all dispatched orders, then use the same definition each month.

Define the denominator

Choose completed deliveries, attempted deliveries or dispatched orders. Completed deliveries usually give the clearest view of the cost of getting parcels to customers.

Separate fixed and variable costs

Keep recurring costs such as vehicle availability or software administration visible alongside per-drop costs such as courier charges.

Include staff time

Add time spent preparing delivery details, answering logistics queries, checking status and recording proof of delivery.

Track exceptions

Record failed drops, returns and redeliveries separately so they do not disappear inside an average that looks cheaper than the operation really is.

A practical workflow

Calculate the metric in five steps

Start with one consistent reporting period. Repeat the calculation after operational changes so the metric supports decisions rather than becoming a one-off number.

  1. 01

    Choose

    Set the reporting period and delivery definition.

  2. 02

    Collect

    Gather courier, labour, vehicle and administration costs.

  3. 03

    Add

    Include failed drops, returns and redelivery work.

  4. 04

    Divide

    Divide total delivery cost by the chosen delivery count.

  5. 05

    Act

    Use the result to review routes, volume and suppliers.

Make the numbers useful

Example: compare like with like

If a pharmacy spends £600 on delivery work and completes 60 deliveries in a month, its measured cost is £10 per completed delivery. That figure is only useful if the £600 includes the same cost categories each month. For comparison, Send247 pricing starts from £9.99 per parcel with a minimum of 8 parcels; a discretionary charge may apply below 8 parcels.

Cost categories to gather

  • Courier or contractor charges
  • Driver and pharmacy staff time
  • Fuel, vehicle and parking costs
  • Packaging and delivery administration
  • Failed drops, returns and redeliveries

Frequently asked questions

Pharmacy delivery costs and decisions

Review your pharmacy delivery model

Share your parcel volume, collection details and delivery routes with Send247 to discuss a suitable setup.

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