Pharma Cloud

What Pharma Cloud does

Pharma Cloud Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered SaaS company that builds AI-powered tools to reduce inefficiency in Japan's pharmaceutical distribution chain. Founded in December 2016 (originally as GYH Co., Ltd., renamed May 2017) and led by Representative Director Go Shimizu (清水 剛), the company operates a portfolio of pharmacy-facing products: MedOrder (AI ordering and inventory management, offered as Full Plan and Middle Plan), MedShare (a free-to-use dead-stock inventory sharing marketplace across 1,500+ registered stores as of December 2024), MedSearch (inter-pharmacy inventory status search, aligned with the Japan Pharmacists Association "Action List" for regional supply resilience), and Pharmacist Online (an assistant AI for pharmacists). Its AI ordering engine uses 400+ specialized models trained on dispensing and inventory data from 1,000+ pharmacies to compute drug-item-level order points, with documented outcomes of 20%+ average inventory reduction within 7 months of adoption (max 40-50%) and weekly ordering automation demonstrated in Japan's first such deployment at Yahatanishi Dispensing Pharmacy.

The underlying technology is a cloud platform that integrates with the dominant Japanese prescription computer (レセコン) systems via the NSIPS standard and supports a broad set of pharmacy management vendors. Beyond dispensing pharmacies and pharmacy chains, Pharma Cloud has extended its footprint upstream into pharmaceutical wholesale through co-developed DX platforms: Stock Mill with Astem (launched September 2022) and Arukana Mill with Vitalnet (January 2025) and KSK (May 2025), which provide real-time inventory visibility and shipment-adjustment workflows. The business model is a mix of subscription SaaS (MedOrder monthly/annual tiers, with setup fees), freemium marketplace (MedShare, free core with optional paid features, no transaction fees), and custom co-development fees for wholesale DX platforms. The company is sales-led with direct engagement of pharmacy owners and chain headquarters, supplemented by channel partner Medical Serve, regional pharmacist associations (e.g., Okayama City Pharmacist Association), and event-driven demand generation at industry academic conferences. Pharma Cloud raised a disclosed ¥180 million in 2024 (equity + loans) and previously took strategic investment from Cliniphar in January 2023; the company is private with 11-50 employees and additional offices in Fukuoka (opened February 2024).

Name

Pharma Cloud

Legal name

株式会社ファーマクラウド

Website

https://pharmacloud.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pharma Cloud is a Tokyo-based SaaS company using AI to optimize pharmaceutical distribution for Japanese dispensing pharmacies, chains, and wholesalers. Its platform includes MedOrder (AI ordering), MedShare (dead-stock sharing, 1,500+ stores), MedSearch, and wholesale DX tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmacy Software / Pharmaceutical Distribution SaaS

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Medication Inventory, Procurement & Supply Chain (Pharmacy) (HLACAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medication Analytics, Outcomes & Cost Optimization (HLACAKAL), Hospital & Health-System Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAD)

Keywords

• Pharmacy inventory management
• AI ordering systems
• Dead-stock sharing platform
• Pharmaceutical distribution SaaS
• Pharmacy DX software

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Med Share Subscription / Freemium: メドシェア core functions (listing, browsing, purchasing surplus inventory) are free to register and use. A separate paid optional tier exists for additional features. This creates a freemium model where the free tier drives network effects and the paid tier monetizes power users.
2. Med Order SaaS Subscription: メドオーダー (both Full Plan and Middle Plan tiers) is sold as a subscription SaaS with monthly or annual billing. Initial setup fees are charged. Pricing is described as 'low cost' with the Middle Plan featuring monthly renewal with early termination possible. The Full Plan includes dedicated onboarding support.
3. Pharmaceutical Wholesale DX System Development: Custom co-development of DX platforms for pharmaceutical wholesalers (e.g., Arukana Mill with Vitalnet, KSK; Stock Mill with Astem). Revenue generated through development fees and potentially ongoing licensing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pharma Cloud develops and sells cloud-based SaaS products that optimize pharmaceutical distribution for dispensing pharmacies, pharmacy chains, pharmacist associations, and pharmaceutical wholesalers. Its portfolio centers on MedOrder (AI-powered ordering and inventory management), MedShare (dead-stock inventory sharing between pharmacies), and MedSearch (inter-pharmacy inventory search), with additional wholesale DX platforms (Stock Mill, Arukana Mill) co-developed with pharmaceutical distributors.

Product overview

Pharma Cloud operates a platform of five interconnected SaaS products addressing inefficiencies in pharmaceutical distribution. The portfolio is anchored by MedOrder (AI ordering and inventory management, available as Full Plan and Middle Plan), MedShare (unsold inventory trading between pharmacies), and MedSearch (regional pharmacy-to-pharmacy inventory searches) — all serving dispensing pharmacies and pharmacy chains. Two additional products extend the platform to pharmaceutical distributors: Stock Mill (distribution chain visualization with Astem) and Arukana Mill (inventory visualization web application with Vitalnet and KSK). MedOrder Full Plan is the most comprehensive, combining AI-driven order optimization, barcode workflows, and multi-store management; MedOrder Middle Plan provides a lighter, barcode-only entry point; MedShare enables direct inventory exchange; and MedSearch surfaces inventory availability across pharmacy networks based on dispensing history.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• メドオーダー (MedOrder): AI-powered ordering and inventory management system for dispensing pharmacies, offering both Full Plan and Middle Plan tiers. MedOrder uses AI to optimize order points and reportedly achieves an average inventory reduction of 20% or more.
• メドシェア (MedShare)
• メドサーチ (MedSearch)
• Arukana Mill
• Stock Mill
• PHARSAS (ファーサス)

Products and services

• MedOrder Full Plan (メドオーダーフルプラン) AI-powered ordering and inventory management system for dispensing pharmacies. Uses 400+ drug-specific AI models to calculate optimal order points per pharmaceutical item, achieving average inventory reduction of 20%+ (up to 50%) within 7 months while preventing stockouts. Supports barcode workflow, multi-store management for chain pharmacies, and full inventory visualization with dedicated post-onboarding support.
• MedOrder Middle Plan (メドオーダーミドルプラン) AI-augmented barcode ordering system for pharmacies already using barcode terminals. AI calculates optimal order quantities and reservation dates within the existing barcode (empty-box) scanning workflow, with no change to operational procedures. NSIPS-compliant and integrates with major レセコン prescription computer systems in Japan.
• MedShare (メドシェア) Free-to-use pharmaceutical inventory sharing platform that enables pharmacies to list unsold or expiring drug inventory and source matching drugs from nearby pharmacies. Includes buying/selling, document support, and a small-portion support function for same-group pharmacy inventory searches. No transaction fees; sellers set their own discount rates. 1,500+ registered stores as of December 2024.
• MedSearch (メドサーチ) Inter-pharmacy inventory status search system that enables pharmacies to find nearby pharmacies likely to have a specific drug in stock based on prescription dispensing history data (encrypted). Supports closed groups among pharmacist associations, neighboring pharmacies, or same-corporation chains. Compatible with the Japan Pharmacists Association 'Action List' for regional pharmaceutical supply strengthening.
• Stock Mill Pharmaceutical distribution DX platform jointly developed with Astem (株式会社アステム). Provides real-time visibility into pharmaceutical inventory across the distribution chain and supports shipment adjustment responses. Delivered as a portal site giving pharmacies and medical institutions access to next-day delivery status and shipment adjustment information for products ordered through Astem.
• Arukana Mill Web-based pharmaceutical inventory visualization and customer portal application. Developed jointly with Vitalnet (launched January 2025) and KSK (launched May 2025). Targets medical institutions and pharmacies for inventory visibility, and pharmaceutical distributors for internal operational efficiency by providing real-time inventory and shipment adjustment status.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average 20%+ inventory reduction within 7 months of Med Order adoption (maximum reported: 40-50% reduction)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• KSK Co., Ltd. (株式会社ケーエスケー)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025Pharma Cloud and KSK co-developed the customer portal site 'Arukana Mill', launched May 7, 2025. The platform aims to improve medical institution and pharmacy convenience while enhancing KSK's internal operational efficiency.
• Vitalnet Co., Ltd. (株式会社バイタルネット)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2025Pharma Cloud and Vitalnet co-developed the pharmaceutical inventory visualization web application 'Arukana Mill', launched January 6, 2025. The platform aims to improve medical institution convenience and Vitalnet's internal operational efficiency.
• Astem Co., Ltd. (株式会社アステム)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2022Pharma Cloud and Astem co-developed the 'Stock Mill' DX platform that provides real-time pharmaceutical distribution inventory visibility and order capability, including shipment adjustment response. Featured in Drag Magazine (July 2023). Astem co-exhibited with Pharma Cloud at pharmacy academic conferences.
• Yahatanishi Dispensing Pharmacy Co., Ltd. (有限会社はち西区南区)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2020Yahatanishi Pharmacy in Fukuoka Prefecture collaborated with Pharma Cloud on Japan's first weekly ordering automation project. The pharmacy provided real-world operational data and workflow validation for Med Order's AI ordering optimization.
• Medical Serve Co., Ltd. (（株） неизвестно)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedical Serve is an authorized sales partner for Med Order, exhibiting the product at pharmacy academic conferences (e.g., 34th Ibaraki Pharmacist Academic Conference). They handle sales inquiries and provide local support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Omnicell, Inc. US-listed provider of pharmacy automation and medication management solutions, including inventory optimization and adherence packaging. Comparable as a technology peer in pharmacy AI-driven inventory and ordering automation, though focused on hospital/health-system pharmacy rather than the retail dispensing pharmacy niche.

Regional players

• Toho Holdings Co., Ltd. Major Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler group. Comparable as a potential partner/customer for Pharma Cloud's wholesaler DX business and as part of the same end-to-end pharmaceutical distribution value chain.
• Medipal Holdings Corporation: Major Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler group (with subsidiaries including Towa Pharmaceutical). Comparable as a potential wholesaler DX partner/customer for Pharma Cloud's Arukana Mill/Stock Mill offerings, and as a structural counterpart in the pharmaceutical distribution chain.
• Suzuken Co., Ltd. One of Japan's largest pharmaceutical wholesalers, operating the distribution layer that Pharma Cloud's MedOrder, Stock Mill, and Arukana Mill products digitally augment. Comparable as a customer/partner segment for Pharma Cloud's wholesaler DX line and as a potential in-house builder of competing AI ordering solutions.
• Alfresa Holdings Corporation: Leading Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler serving hospitals, clinics, and dispensing pharmacies. Comparable as a counterpart in pharmaceutical distribution that Pharma Cloud could target for additional co-developed DX platforms similar to those already delivered with Astem, Vitalnet, and KSK.

Direct peers

• TOSHO Inc. Japanese pharmacy computer system vendor serving dispensing pharmacies with ordering, inventory, and dispensing workflow software. Directly comparable as a competing pharmacy IT platform targeting the same pharmacy customers and overlapping use cases (ordering, inventory management).
• EM Systems Co., Ltd. Japanese vendor of Recepty Next, one of the leading prescription computer (レセコン) systems in Japan and an integration partner of Pharma Cloud. Directly comparable because it sells pharmacy workflow software into the same customer base that Pharma Cloud serves with MedOrder and MedShare, and competes for the same IT budget.
• PHC Corporation (MediCom): PHC's MediCom is one of Japan's most widely deployed prescription computer systems and is listed as an integration partner of Pharma Cloud. Comparable because it provides the primary pharmacy IT layer where Pharma Cloud's MedOrder/MedShare data ingestion originates, and could compete via native AI features.
• Mitsubishi Electric IT Solutions (Melphin): Vendor of Melphin, a major Japanese prescription computer system listed as compatible with Pharma Cloud. Comparable as a レセコン incumbent serving overlapping pharmacy customers with dispensing, ordering, and inventory modules.

Broad incumbents

• BD (Becton Dickinson): Global medical technology company with a medication management portfolio (BD Pyxis, BD HealthSight) covering inventory visibility and pharmacy workflow automation. Comparable at the broad incumbent level as a much larger player operating in pharmacy IT adjacent to Pharma Cloud's MedOrder/Arukana Mill inventory optimization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pharma Cloud