SMS Benchmarks for Pharmaceuticals

SMS benchmarks help pharmaceutical brands understand how patients and providers actually interact with their messages through metrics like click rates, reply rates, and opt outs. In this guide, we explore key SMS performance trends shaping pharmaceutical communication.

Average Response Rate

The average response rate in pharmaceuticals is 25 to 35 percent, reflecting how consistently patients, prescribers, and care teams reply to SMS messages.

Response rate is the proportion of delivered texts that receive a reply, found by dividing total responses by successfully sent messages. In pharmaceutical settings, this metric shows how reliably patients react to refill reminders, safety notices, or adherence prompts.

When response rates are monitored carefully, organizations can adjust timing, wording, and frequency so communication supports better therapy adherence, cleaner safety data, and more coordinated patient support programs.

Average Opt-Out Rate

The average opt-out rate for pharmaceuticals is 0.3–0.8 percent, a range that reflects both strict regulation and highly selective patient engagement.

The opt-out rate shows the portion of people who text STOP or otherwise remove themselves from your messaging list.

It is calculated by dividing all confirmed opt-outs by the total number of successfully delivered messages, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage.

In pharmaceuticals, tracking this figure is vital because it signals whether patients and healthcare professionals find messages relevant, understandable, and appropriately timed within a tightly regulated communication environment.

Average Click-Through Rate

The average click-through rate in pharmaceuticals is 12–18 percent and signals how frequently healthcare professionals and patients engage with links inside SMS messages.

CTR represents the proportion of successfully delivered texts that generate at least one tap on a monitored link.

To find it, divide the total number of URL taps by the count of messages delivered, then multiply that result by 100.

In pharmaceuticals, click-through rate reveals whether content such as safety updates, refill reminders, trial information, or patient support resources is relevant and timely, guiding more responsible communication choices.

Average Conversion Rate

The average conversion rate for pharmaceuticals is 1.5–2.5%, reflecting how many people respond positively after receiving a compliant text about a product, refill, or patient support program.

This percentage captures how often carefully regulated messages turn into meaningful actions within a highly scrutinized healthcare environment.

Conversion rate shows what portion of recipients complete a specific outcome after a message is successfully delivered.

You calculate it by taking the number of desired results such as completed refills, program enrollments, or confirmed therapy starts and dividing by the total texts delivered, then multiplying by 100.

It matters in pharmaceuticals because it highlights which communications truly support adherence, safety information, and appropriate product use.

By following this metric, teams can refine timing, content, and audience selection to make sure messaging remains both effective and compliant.

Average Delivery Rate

The average delivery rate for pharmaceuticals is 98–99%, reflecting that nearly every SMS lands on the recipients device as intended.

This reliability supports critical communications for patients, pharmacists, wholesalers, and clinical teams.

Delivery rate is calculated by taking the number of messages that reach active handsets and dividing it by the total volume sent, while excluding texts that fail due to invalid contacts or carrier level filtering.

In pharmaceuticals, a strong delivery rate is crucial because SMS carries prescription reminders, safety notifications, cold chain alerts, supply updates, and time sensitive coordination between pharmacies, distributors, and healthcare providers.

Average Open Rate

The average open rate is 98%, which means recipients in pharmaceuticals almost always read text messages that reach their phones.

This open rate reflects the proportion of successfully delivered texts that people actually open and view.

To calculate it, you take the number of opened messages, divide it by the number of delivered messages, then multiply the result by 100 to convert it into a percentage.

In pharmaceuticals, open rate is critical because time sensitive information about prescriptions, safety alerts, clinical trial updates, or patient support must be seen quickly to make sure communication truly helps care.

Average Time to Read

The average time to read an SMS in pharmaceuticals is 3 minutes.

Time to read describes how long it takes for a recipient to open and view a text once it has been delivered to their device.

It is calculated by tracking the time gap between delivery and first open across a large number of messages, then computing the overall average.

This metric is crucial in pharmaceuticals because quick reading supports time sensitive safety alerts, dosage adjustments, supply notifications, trial updates, and cold chain coordination, helping teams make sure vital information reaches healthcare professionals and patients when it matters most.

Average Response Time

The average response time for pharmaceuticals is 90 seconds, showing how quickly patients or healthcare providers usually reply once they receive a text message.

Response time is the span between a delivered message and the first reply, calculated by taking the average of this interval across many conversations.

It matters in pharmaceuticals because fast replies support timely medication reminders, safety alerts, refill coordination, and questions about side effects.

A shorter response time suggests patients and clinicians are actively engaged with SMS, which helps teams make sure treatment guidance is clear and that important updates are not missed.

Average Bounce Rate

The average bounce rate for pharmaceuticals is 1–2%, which signals that very few SMS alerts fail to reach their destination.

This low figure hints at reliable data handling and consistent message delivery across clinical and commercial workflows.

Bounce rate is calculated by dividing undelivered messages by all texts sent, then converting that ratio into a percentage.

In pharmaceuticals this metric matters because dependable delivery supports safety notifications, shipment updates, clinical trial communication, and formulary or access information for providers.

When bounce rate stays low, databases remain accurate so communication flows smoothly between manufacturers, healthcare professionals, and patients.

Why Are SMS Metrics Important?

Sms metrics carry special weight for businesses in pharmaceuticals because patients and healthcare professionals depend on accurate and timely communication.

Whether sharing dosage instructions, refill alerts, safety updates, or clinical reminders, reliable text performance can directly influence health outcomes.

Metrics such as delivery rate, open rate, and response rate reveal how effectively audiences receive and interact with crucial information.

Conversion and click through rates then show whether messages inspire actions like refilling prescriptions, enrolling in support programs, or reporting side effects.

By tracking these signals, pharmaceuticals can make sure communication stays clear, compliant, and patient centered.

Overview of Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceuticals sector relies on precise, compliant communication to coordinate research, production, distribution, and patient support.

Stakeholders expect rapid access to accurate information, often in highly regulated and time critical contexts.

Traditional channels can be slow, fragmented, or overlooked, which increases the risk of delays, confusion, or missed updates.

SMS provides near universal reach, immediate delivery, and exceptionally high engagement rates, making it well suited to these demands.

By supporting fast, reliable interactions across internal teams and external partners, SMS helps maintain operational efficiency and traceability.

Timely messaging also strengthens customer experience and confidence, helping pharmaceuticals organizations stay responsive while meeting strict communication expectations.

SMS Use Cases in Pharmaceuticals

SMS provides fast, secure, and auditable communication that closes time-sensitive gaps across the pharmaceuticals supply chain.

It connects manufacturers, distributors, clinicians, and patients for prompt action on adherence, logistics, and safety notifications.

Send automated patient medication and refill reminders with one-touch links to pharmacy portals to make sure adherence and reduce missed doses.

Trigger instant cold-chain alerts to distribution teams and field technicians when temperature excursions occur so corrective action is taken immediately.

Deliver targeted lot-specific recall and safety notices to pharmacies and clinics with clear instructions and reporting links to speed mitigation.

Coordinate clinical trial visits, screening windows, and adverse event reporting via SMS to improve enrollment retention and streamline site workflows.

FAQs About SMS Benchmarks for Pharmaceuticals

How can pharmaceutical companies use SMS to support medication adherence?

Pharmaceutical companies can use SMS to send friendly reminders about when to take medications or refill prescriptions. These messages can also include brief tips that help patients understand how to use their treatment correctly.

Keeping messages simple and easy to read makes it more likely that patients will follow through. This approach supports better daily habits without overwhelming patients with information.

What role can SMS play in pharmaceutical patient education?

SMS can deliver short, clear explanations about how a drug works, what to expect, and how to manage common issues. Patients can receive educational links or bite-sized guidance that they can read on their own time.

Pharmaceutical teams can tailor content to specific conditions or therapies so that information feels more relevant. This helps patients feel more confident and informed about their treatment journey.

How can SMS improve communication between pharmaceutical brands and healthcare professionals?

Pharmaceutical brands can use SMS to share timely updates about new formulations, supply changes, or safety information with healthcare professionals. Short alerts keep clinicians informed without interrupting their workflow.

SMS can also be used to coordinate meetings, medical education sessions, and follow-ups with representatives. This creates a smoother communication channel while respecting the limited time of healthcare staff.

What should pharmaceutical companies consider to keep SMS communications compliant?

Pharmaceutical companies should obtain explicit consent before sending any SMS and clearly explain what type of messages recipients will receive. They need to follow privacy and data protection rules in every region where patients or clinicians are based.

It is important to have all SMS content reviewed according to medical, legal, and regulatory standards. Companies should also make sure recipients can easily opt out at any time.