Creating a compliant online pharmacy demanded navigating strict UK regulations, including GDPR and prescription validation laws. Manually verifying digital prescriptions slowed order processing and introduced human error risks, while restricted medicines (e.g., opioids) required age verification and GP approval workflows that disrupted the checkout process. The platform’s legacy PHP backend frequently crashed under high traffic, and fragmented inventory data from suppliers led to overselling—a critical issue for time-sensitive medications.
Building user trust was equally challenging. The outdated frontend design confused non-tech-savvy customers, and SSL certification gaps raised security concerns. Managing thousands of SKUs with varying legal restrictions overwhelmed the original CMS, and the lack of real-time stock synchronization resulted in order cancellations. Balancing a user-friendly interface with rigorous compliance checks became a constant tightrope walk.
02 . The Solution
An AI-driven prescription scanner automated document validation, reducing approval time from hours to minutes. Supplier APIs were consolidated into a centralized inventory hub with 15-second stock updates. A redesigned, WCAG-compliant frontend included age gates and GP-linked verification for restricted items, while SSL encryption and two-factor authentication bolstered security. The custom CMS flagged restricted products and streamlined compliance workflows, cutting cart abandonment by 30%.
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