A Pharmacy Owner's Guide to Payment Processing
In this guide, we cover how payment processing works, what FCA, PCI-DSS, and SCA regulations require, and what independent pharmacy owners should look for in a provider.
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As a National Pharmacy Association Trusted Partner, we've put together a practical guide for independent pharmacy owners on getting payment processing right. It covers how processing works, what the regulations require, and how to understand your fees.
Why pharmacies choose Ryft
Ryft is a leading Payment Services Provider (PSP) that specialises in payment solutions, ensuring full compliance and offering 24/7 support from humans. Using Ryft, businesses can accept payments anywhere, automate split payments, onboard sellers, set up delayed payments and recurring billing, earn commission from payment escrow, and much more.
Frequently asked questions
Payment processing involves a gateway, processor, and acquiring bank working together to complete each transaction. Most modern providers bundle all three into a single service. For pharmacies taking payments in person and online, a single integrated provider simplifies reconciliation considerably.
UK pharmacies must use an FCA-authorised payment provider, which you can verify on the FCA Register. PCI-DSS compliance governs how card data is handled, and online payments require Strong Customer Authentication under PSD2. A reputable provider manages PCI-DSS and SCA on your behalf.
Payment providers typically charge transaction fees, monthly platform fees, and chargeback fees. Some also charge for refunds and terminal rental. Volume-based pricing reduces your rate as transaction volumes grow, which is often more cost-effective than flat-rate alternatives for pharmacies with consistent monthly volumes.
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