# Pharmacy step 5: sell by tablet, strip or box

> Sell medicines at the POS by tablet, strip or box, pick the batch by lot and expiry, add the patient, and print a receipt with batch details.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/pharmacy/step-5-sell-by-strip-and-box/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

At the pharmacy counter the same medicine is sold as a single tablet, a strip or a full box, and every sale must come from the right batch. The POS handles both on the cart line.

## Before you start

- Medicines have units and prices ([step 2](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/pharmacy/step-2-product-library-pharmacy-catalog/)) and stock with batches ([step 4](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/pharmacy/step-4-purchases-batches-and-expiry/)).
- The cash register is open ([Cash register and closing](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/cash-register-and-closing/)).

## Sell a strip

1. Open **Sell › POS**.
2. Scan the pack barcode or search the medicine name.
3. On the cart line, choose the unit in the unit dropdown: **Tablet**, **Strip (10)** or **Box**. The price changes with the unit.
4. In **Lot & Expiry**, pick the batch (the one expiring first, as a rule).
5. Set the quantity (for example 2 strips).
6. Select the patient as customer if the medicine needs a prescription, or for credit; add the prescription reference or doctor in the sale note.
7. Take payment and complete the sale.

![POS V1 cart with Allerfree 10mg Tablets, Lot and Expiry dropdown, quantity 1 and unit Strip (10), subtotal 250](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-v1-sell-by-strip.Do4E8b6x.png) (web app page: `/pos/create`)
*POS V1: the unit dropdown (Strip (10)) and the Lot & Expiry dropdown sit on the cart line.*

![POS V2 for a pharmacy with categories like Allergy and Skin and Cough, Cold and Flu, medicines with stock in Strip, Pack and Bottle, low stock and out of stock badges](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pharmacy-pos-v2.HJA6tyC7.png) (web app page: `/pos-v2/create`)
*POS V2 shows stock in each medicine's own unit and flags low and out-of-stock items.*

## Receipts with batch and expiry

Choose a receipt layout that prints batch and expiry per line and a prescription box. The [Invoice designer](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/invoice-designer/) has a pharmacy receipt template for 80 mm printers. See [Receipts and invoice layouts](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/receipts-and-invoice-layouts/).

## Returns from patients

If a patient returns an unopened pack, use **Sell return** on the sale. The stock goes back to the same batch. Check your local rules on accepting medicine returns. See [Returns and refunds](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/returns-and-refunds/).

## Tips

- **Scan the outer box** to sell a full box quickly; switch the unit only for strips and loose tablets.
- **Keep batch picking simple**: train staff to pick the earliest expiry unless the shelf says otherwise.
- **Out of stock?** The POS shows "Out of stock"; offer a generic with the same Generic name ([step 3](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/pharmacy/step-3-medicine-details-generic-and-rx/)).

  - [Step 6: Prescriptions for online orders](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/pharmacy/step-6-prescriptions/)
  - [POS overview](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/pos-overview/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How does the POS know the strip price?

Prices are kept per base unit (one tablet). When you choose Strip (10), the line price becomes ten times the tablet price. There is no separate price per strip.

### Can I charge more for loose tablets?

Not automatically, because the price is per tablet whichever unit you pick. Change the line price on the sale if your policy allows it.

### Which batch does the POS sell from?

The Lot & Expiry dropdown on the line lets you choose the batch. Pick the batch that expires first unless the patient needs a specific one.

### Can the POS stop me selling an expired batch?

Yes, when On Product Expiry is set to Stop Selling n days before. Batches inside that window are not offered.

### Should I select a customer on every sale?

For prescription and controlled medicines, and for credit, yes. For over-the-counter sales Walk-In Customer is fine.