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Head-to-head · Pharmacy Software

Apotec CRM vs DrugMate

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Apotec CRM #3 in Pharmacy Software 8.1/10 From £495/mo ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Apotec
DrugMate #8 in Pharmacy Software 6.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit DrugMate

Apotec CRM leads on 2 checks, DrugMate on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApotec CRM · 8.1/10
  • Most featuresApotec CRM · 3 of 4

Apotec CRM scores higher on our rubric for pharmacy software: 8.1 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Apotec CRM offers prescription management; DrugMate doesn't publish it. DrugMate offers point of sale; Apotec CRM doesn't publish it. On pharmacy type, DrugMate gives you Hospital where Apotec CRM offers Community. Apotec CRM offers e-prescribing; DrugMate doesn't publish it.

Apotec CRM is the better fit for multi-branch community pharmacies using NHS workflows. DrugMate is the better fit for pharmacies prioritizing mobile stock and purchasing.

  • Apotec CRM fits best

    Multi-branch community pharmacies using NHS workflows

  • DrugMate fits best

    Pharmacies prioritizing mobile stock and purchasing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apotec CRM 8.1/10 Visit ↗ DrugMate 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 6.6
Ranking #3 in Pharmacy Software #8 in Pharmacy Software
Best for Multi-branch community pharmacies using NHS workflows Pharmacies prioritizing mobile stock and purchasing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows iOS, Android
Support Email Phone, Email · 24/7
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apotec CRM 3/4 · DrugMate 2/4
Prescription management ✓ (best) Not published
Inventory tracking ✓ ✓
Point of sale Not published ✓ (best)
E-prescribing ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Pharmacy type Community Hospital
Deployment Cloud Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Manages patient records across pharmacy branches
  • Supports NHS EPS and NHS App integration
  • Connects with Meditech and BD Rowa dispensing systems
  • Barcode and QR scanning with batch and expiry alerts
  • Integrated stock, purchasing, billing and accounts
  • Reorder suggestions, reports, audit trail and automated backups
Cons
  • £495 per outlet each month is a substantial recurring cost
  • Activation is a separate per-outlet charge
  • Designed for community pharmacy workflows, not a broad clinical suite
  • Mobile deployment may not suit desktop-centered pharmacy workflows
  • Prescription management and e-prescribing sit outside the verified feature set
  • Pricing requires contacting the vendor for a quote or demonstration
Our verdict

Apotec CRM is a cloud-delivered patient medication record system for community pharmacies. Its focus is paperless dispensing and shared patient records across branches, making it relevant to pharmacy organisations that need NHS workflows…

Read the review →

DrugMate is a pharmacy information management system from Excellence ICT for pharmacies and healthcare facilities. Its mobile applications for iOS and Android cover stock, purchases, returns, billing and dues, with tools for supplier…

Read the review →
  1. Apotec CRMPharmacy Software 8.1From £495/mo
  2. DrugMatePharmacy Software 6.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apotec CRM — where it wins

    • Manages patient records across pharmacy branches
    • Supports NHS EPS and NHS App integration
    • Connects with Meditech and BD Rowa dispensing systems

    Where it doesn't

    • £495 per outlet each month is a substantial recurring cost
    • Activation is a separate per-outlet charge
    • Designed for community pharmacy workflows, not a broad clinical suite

  • DrugMate — where it wins

    • Barcode and QR scanning with batch and expiry alerts
    • Integrated stock, purchasing, billing and accounts
    • Reorder suggestions, reports, audit trail and automated backups

    Where it doesn't

    • Mobile deployment may not suit desktop-centered pharmacy workflows
    • Prescription management and e-prescribing sit outside the verified feature set
    • Pricing requires contacting the vendor for a quote or demonstration
  • Apotec CRM8.1/10 · From £495/mo

    A branch-focused pharmacy system with NHS workflows, robot links and a £495 monthly subscription per outlet.

    Visit ApotecFull verdict →
  • DrugMate6.6/10 · Pricing on request

    Mobile pharmacy operations with stock, purchasing, billing and expiry controls.

    Visit DrugMateFull verdict →

More comparisons

All pharmacy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on pharmacy software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update