Medication Management App Development: Step-by-Step Guide

Medication management app development in 2024 is a lucrative venture. Chronic condition rates are clearly on the rise, and more and more patients face mental problems. This presents an opportunity not only to the pharma industry, but also to healthcare software vendors. Today, a brand new medication tracker app can attract a wide audience and generate significant profits. 

To understand why building a tracker is a good idea, let’s look at the statistics provided by the World Health Organization. Many individuals affected by aging, mental and neurodegenerative conditions forget to take their medications on time:

• In the US alone, 65-70% of adults can’t keep track of their medication intake and do not adhere to prescriptions; 

• 45% of Americans need at least one prescription drug every month. 

This data proves that a new medication tracker would be in high demand. If you’ve been thinking about making your own, now’s the best time!

Why is Creating a Medication Tracking App a Good Idea? 

Here, one could discuss the social impact of medical apps and their benefits to patients. But we at CHILLICODE  want to zoom in on technical and economic factors. They will help illustrate the business value of tracking software. Here are the key arguments for building medication tracking apps:

Proliferation of smartphones and wearables

Nowadays, almost everyone has a gadget that supports medication tracking software. Estimates vary, but experts assume that the global smartphone penetration rate sits at around 70%, as of 2024. Fitness trackers and smartwatches, the most common type of wearables, are also on the rise. Annual shipments of these devices are projected to hit 280 million by the end of 2024, compared to 190 million back in 2021. More and more people buy wearables, meaning you could potentially attract more app users in the long-term through medication tracking apps.  

Monetization opportunities

The core features of medication reminders aren’t expensive to develop, and the final product can be monetized in many ways: from premium subscriptions to in-app purchases. A premium subscription of medication management software could offer many advanced features. For example, detailed health analytics, personalized coaching, and even integration of third-party medication tracking apps. 

Partnerships and collaborations

If your medication reminder app attracts a wide audience, you’ll be able to partner with other companies: health service providers, insurance businesses, and so on. Collaboration will allow you to exchange resources, cross-promote, and earn more money. 

Relative simplicity 

Apps with medication reminders aren’t too hard to build. These platforms track health changes based on the info provided by users: their medications, intake times, and dosages. Second, there are many established frameworks available on the market. If you choose popular tools, you’ll be able to streamline your pill reminder app development workflow. These range from front-end frameworks, like React Native, to back-end alternatives like Firebase. 

Also, versatile APIs could be integrated to handle notifications, user authentication, data storage, and health data management, reducing development complexity. Recent advancements in AI, ML, and IoT make it easy to personalize schedules, predict adherence issues, and provide tailored reminders. 

Finally, thanks to the simplicity of their core features, medication tracker apps can be easily scaled, adapted to different languages, and local laws. 

Solution Types for Medication Management App Development 

Now let’s explore the various types of existing relevant apps:

Basic reminders

Standard reminders are really simple. App users insert schedules and dosages to get informed by alarms and notifications. Such apps also need to include the dosage tracking feature, which helps to keep track of medicine intakes. Here’s a list of features for development: 

• User authentication — basic login and password protection for personal accounts;

• Medication schedules — lists for daily intakes; 

• Manual input functionality to submit medication names, dosages, timings, and extra notes; 

• Scheduled sound alerts and text notifications;

• Interactive medication calendars; 

• Checkboxes for logging medicine intakes.

Advanced solutions 

This is the more sophisticated medication tracking software. It’s designed specifically for patients with complex therapy plans and disabilities. This target audience requires multiple medication routes and highly personalized dosages. Here are some advanced ideas for your development efforts: 

• Enhanced security features for patient authentication; 

• Health outcomes and symptom tracking features;

• Automated medication search linked to a pharmaceutical database;

• Smart dosage calculators and suggestions for medication intakes;

• Calendar for scheduling medical appointments and medication intakes;

• Patient resources with helpful content: tips, tutorials, motivational videos, etc.;

• Digital membership cards.

Pharmacy-focused healthcare software 

This software type exceeds the limits of simple intake tracking tools. These apps are connected to pharmacies, streamlining prescriptions and enhancing medication management for app users. 

We at CHILLICODE have created a list of features for such software development plans: 

• Direct requests, allowing users to request prescription refills directly from their pharmacy through apps;

• In-app consultations with pharmacists; 

• Prescription tracking elements for monitoring the status of prescriptions, from order to pickup; 

• Medication synchronization. Allows to sync medication records with a pharmacy’s database for accurate logging and timely updates;

• Automated alerts for refills, sending reminders to users when it’s time to refill their medications;

• Drug interaction warnings, informing about potentially threatening drug combinations based on users’ medication profiles; 

• Pharmacy discount coupons;

• Health monitoring info that can be shared with pharmacists. 

App development initiated for caregivers and families

The purpose behind these solutions is managing and monitoring the medication schedules of patients under supervision. When it comes to must-have features for these apps, here are CHILLICODE’s picks: 

• Shared access and permissions, allowing multiple people to access and control the same medication profile;

• Alerts sent to caregivers about missed doses or upcoming medications;

• Adherence reports;

• Health and medication notes, enabling caregivers to record health observations, symptoms, and medication effects;

• Features for quick access to emergency contacts and healthcare providers; 

• Medication refill reminders;

• Schedule coordination among multiple caregivers;

• Educational resources;

• Communication tools like in-app messaging for discussing patient care.

Features to Add to a Medication Management Application

We at CHILLICODE have a lot of experience when it comes to building healthcare apps. Here are the features that we’d add to a medication management application: 

User authentication and personal profiles 

These are the starting points of any user session in a medical app, and mobile medication management software is no exception. We’d implement secure login mechanisms, such as username/password or biometric authentication. And allow users to create and manage profiles that contain their medical histories.

Medication database and automatic search

Deliver a comprehensive database of medications that empowers users to search for their prescriptions automatically. You start by entering a medication name and choose one from a list. You can also enter a medical condition and view a list of applicable medicine. To develop this feature, integration with official pharma databases is needed to provide accurate info.

Reminders as a core feature of medication management software

Customizable push notifications and sound alerts to remind users to take their medications.

Medication scheduling and calendar 

First, a scheduling feature makes it possible for users to set up detailed medication plans, including dosage, frequency, and duration. You could also implement a calendar for visual tracking.

Progress tracking and adherence reports

Medication management software must be able to track and log each dosage taken. And generate reports on adherence — checking if the patient has taken their meds on time or not. Highlighting missed doses and trends is also a must-have feature. 

Health metrics and symptom tracking 

This feature monitors health indicators (e.g., blood pressure, glucose levels) and records symptoms or side effects. Users should be able to add notes or use a diary feature to document their health status. By integrating with wearable devices and other health monitoring tools, the app can automatically collect and analyze data on various health metrics, providing users with a comprehensive view of their health trends over time. The diary feature allows users to log daily health observations, track symptoms, and note any side effects of medications. Users can also set up custom alerts and reminders for monitoring specific health indicators, ensuring they stay proactive about their health management.

Caregiver and family access 

These features of medication management software allow one to access and manage a patient’s medication schedule. This should include permissions and shared access controls.

Pharmacy integration and refill requests 

Direct integration with pharmacy systems to manage prescriptions, request refills, and receive notifications about medication availability. This would allow users to seamlessly connect with their preferred pharmacy of choice, ensuring their prescriptions are always up to date and accessible with ease. On top of that, users could benefit from automated reminders to request a refill, reducing the risk of running out of essential medications. Enhanced integration could also provide real-time updates on the status of refill requests.

Drug interaction warnings

Automated alerts about potential interactions between prescribed medications. You could also offer users advice and warnings about side effects. The system could provide personalized recommendations for alternative medications or dosages to avoid harmful interactions.

Educational resources and tips 

Access to a library of educational content about medications, conditions, and best practices for health management. Includes tips and guidelines for proper medication use. This library could be continually updated with the latest medical research and guidelines, ensuring users have access to the most current information. Interactive features, such as quizzes and videos, could make learning about health and medication management more engaging.

Emergency contact 

Features for accessing emergency contacts and critical medical information like allergies that can be quickly shared with healthcare providers. This functionality could include a secure digital health profile that users can update with their medical history, current medications, and any known allergies. In case of an emergency, this profile can be quickly accessed and shared with professionals, ensuring they have all the necessary information to provide appropriate care.

Compliance for Medication Management Software

When it comes to medication management software, compliance issues are highly specific and multi-faceted. Here are some key compliance standards that will be useful in  medication reminder app development: 

1. Data Privacy. Such apps handle sensitive health information, which requires strict adherence to data privacy laws like HIPAA in the US and GDPR in the EU. These laws mandate how patient data must be collected, stored, and shared. Breaching them potentially costs a lot.

2. Accuracy and reliability. The software must ensure accurate medication tracking and reminders to prevent potentially dangerous errors. Inaccurate dosage information or missed reminders can lead to severe health implications.

3. Regulatory approval. Depending on the features, some apps of this type may need to be approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA in the US or the EMA in Europe.

4. Interoperability standards. These apps often need to integrate with other healthcare systems, such as EHRs — medical databases owned by healthcare providers. Compliance with standards like HL7 (Health Level Seven International) and FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is crucial for seamless and secure data exchange.

5. User authentication and access controls. Making sure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive medication information is vital. This involves implementing robust user authentication and access control mechanisms to prevent data breaches.

6. Data security measures. Implementing strong encryption methods for data storage and transmission is essential to protect patient information from cyber threats. Regular security audits, coupled with vulnerability assessments, are a must to ensure ongoing compliance with data protection stipulations.

7. Clinical decision support. If the app includes features that provide clinical decision support (say, drug interaction alerts), the software must comply with regulations governing clinical decision support systems. This means, ensure that the information provided is evidence-based and regularly updated.

How to Develop an App in Result-oriented 10 Steps

Here are the steps involved in creating a proper tool: 

How to Choose a Tech Stack for Medication Tracker App Development

Based on our experience, we at CHILLICODE would like to recommend two medication reminder app development routes, for Android and iOS respectively. 

Component 

iOS

Android 

Key considerations

Programming languages for medication management app development

Kotlin, Java

Swift, Objective-C

Opt for up-to-date languages for adequate performance and support

IDE

Android Studio

Xcode

Apply official IDEs for robust coding tools and support

UI frameworks 

Jetpack Compose, XML

SwiftUI, UIKit

Utilize native frameworks for a seamless UX

Backend engineering 

Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails

Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails

Pick up a backend that supports RESTful APIs and scalable architecture

Database

SQLite, Room, Firebase Realtime Database

Core Data, SQLite, Firebase Realtime Database

Ensure efficient data storage and offline capabilities

Cloud storage

Google Cloud, AWS, Firebase

iCloud, AWS, Firebase

Secure and scalable cloud storage solutions

Authentication

Firebase Authentication, OAuth

Firebase Authentication, OAuth

Implement protected and easy-to-use authentication mechanisms

Push notifications

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)

Apple Push Notification Service (APNs)

Ensure timely and reliable delivery of notifications

Analytics 

Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics

Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics

Track user behavior and mobile solution performance

Payment gateways

Stripe, PayPal, Google Pay

Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay

Facilitate secure in-app purchases and subscriptions

Testing frameworks for medication management app development

JUnit, Espresso

XCTest, XCUITest

Conduct thorough testing for quality assurance

APIs for drug databases

OpenFDA, RxNorm

OpenFDA, RxNorm

Integrate reliable drug databases for accurate medication information.

How much does it cost to develop such an app?

Most development processes aren’t cheap. Here are the key factors that impact the total cost:

1. Data security measures

The engineering costs of versatile tracking apps could be influenced by the need for extensive data security measures. Due to the sensitive nature of health information, developers must implement robust encryption protocols and comply with stringent data protection regulations such as HIPAA in the US or GDPR in the EU. 

Ensuring compliance with these strict guidelines often requires additional resources for legal consultation, regular security audits, and the integration of advanced safeguards. These measures are crucial to protect user data from breaches and leaks, ensuring user trust. However, these added complexities significantly increase the overall development costs.

2. Advanced ML and AI Integration

Another factor impacting engineering costs is the integration of advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms and AI-powered capabilities. To offer personalized reminders, drug interaction alerts, and predictive analytics, apps require sophisticated models to handle and analyze large volumes of data.

Developing and training these models necessitates skilled data scientists, high-performance computing resources, and access to large datasets, all contributing to increased engineering expenses. Maintaining and continuously improving such AI systems involves ongoing costs, as models need regular updates with fresh data to remain accurate and effective.

3. Extensive user-facing testing and iterative development

The need for extensive user-facing testing and iterative development can also drive up costs. Unlike simpler apps, tracking apps must undergo rigorous usability testing to meet the diverse needs of heterogeneous users, including elderly patients and those with chronic or mental conditions.

This process involves multiple rounds of testing with different target audiences, collecting detailed feedback, and making necessary adjustments to the design and functionality. The iterative nature of this process means engineering teams must be prepared for repeated cycles of quality assurance and refinements, which can extend project timelines and increase costs.

Additionally, hiring specialists such as UX experts and accessibility experts can further add to the financial investment required to create a user-friendly and effective tracking app.

Conclusion 

Creating a reliable tracking app, such as a refill reminder, means implementing strict security measures, and responding to diverse user needs. We at CHILLICODE know what it takes to develop apps, this class of software solutions is no exception. Our IT expertise in regulatory compliance and QA testing allows us to provide high-quality, secure, and user-friendly medication management solutions. By entrusting your project to us, you’ll get access to talented development experts who’ll help you realize any vision.

Let us handle the complexities of engineering so you can concentrate on what matters most — improving patient care and medication adherence! If you’re interested in working with us, describe your project in the form below, and we’ll respond as quickly as possible.

As an experienced and skilled mobile engineering team, we’ve completed more than 350+ development projects for various industries, including healthcare. It took us 11 years to build such a portfolio. We would be happy to work on your medication tracker app development project. We’ll implement every core feature, on time and within budget, if you opt for us when it comes to medication management app development.