Case Study

Redesigning prescription refills for 2M+ Publix Pharmacy users

2.6 4.9 App Store rating
Role
Solo Product Designer
Platform
iOS & Android
Timeline
2024
The Problem

Users were abandoning refills and calling the pharmacy instead

The prescription refill flow had a low completion rate and high call-in rate to pharmacists. App store reviews reflected deep frustration—users couldn't figure out how to refill their medications.

For a user base that skews older (40+), the existing UX was failing at the most basic task the app was supposed to solve.

Unclear Step Sequence

Users had to complete steps A, B, C sequentially, but the UI didn't communicate this. Many hit disabled buttons and bounced.

Frustrating Touch Targets

Tiny checkboxes that immediately removed prescriptions. For users with reduced dexterity, accidental deletions were common.

No Visual Context

The location picker was a flat text list—no map, no hours, no way to identify your regular pharmacy.

Disabled Buttons

The submit button stayed disabled with no explanation. Users stared at a grayed-out button with no path forward.

Before

The existing experience

A cramped, confusing flow that packed everything onto disconnected screens with no clear guidance.

Original Flow Before: The old refill flow
UX Audit

Mapping every pain point

I conducted a comprehensive audit, documenting issues and cross-referencing with app store reviews to validate frustrations.

UX Audit screens 1-2
UX Audit screens 3-4
UX Audit screens 5-6
Design Principles

Guiding the redesign

Effortless Design

Feel as easy as booking an Airbnb. Minimize overthinking, let users navigate with confidence.

Accessible Design

WCAG compliance. Optimized touch targets, clear directives, moderate pace for our 40+ demographic.

Collaborative Design

Close work with ITDM and engineering to understand backend constraints and what was shippable.

Process

From audit to solution

Design process New flow chart
The Solution

A clear, guided refill experience

I broke the monolithic screen into a step-by-step flow. Each step has one job.

Redesigned Flow
Scroll to explore the full flow

Users noticed.

2.6 4.9

App Store rating after redesign launch

4.9 ★ App Store
23K+ ratings
4.8 ★ Google Play
5.3K+ reviews
★★★★★
A Game-Changer!
"The Publix pharmacy app has truly made managing my prescriptions so much easier and hassle-free. From quick refills to tracking my medication history, the app simplifies everything."
theAbeCaster Nov 2024
★★★★★
So much better!
"I just used the new app and it's so much better. More details, easier to use and more manageable. Thank you for the awesome enhancements. 👌"
Rose Sand Sept 2024
★★★★★
Much Improved
"The new version is much nicer looking. Meets my needs perfectly."
FloridaFatBoy Oct 2024
★★★★★
The redesigned app works better
"Less crashing. It used to get stuck when pulling info or processing payments. The new app is much better."
Verified User Nov 2024
★★★★★
Easy to use
"Very easy to request a refill. ✨"
XxxJuliexxxx Oct 2024
★★★★★
Best Pharmacy in Orlando
"Switching from Walgreens and CVS has been the best thing I've done. A consistently performing app."
Pamiyami Oct 2024
★★★★★
Check prescriptions easily
"My ability to check for my prescriptions while talking to my doctor. If they ask if you need a refill, you just log in and look."
Shirley Posey Oct 2024
★★★★★
Love this app!
"Pay in the app, request a refill with one tap, see which prescriptions are overdue—all features that make this wonderful."
Verified User Nov 2024
★★★★★
Wonderful for refills
"Very easy to move one prescription from one Publix Pharmacy to another when I visit my mom on the West Coast of FL."
Verified User Google Play

What I learned

Constraints breed creativity

Working within backend limitations forced smarter UX solutions. The date picker came from deep collaboration with engineering.

App reviews are research

Without robust analytics, app store reviews became my primary signal for validating pain points and prioritizing fixes.

Accessibility is the baseline

Designing for our 40+ demographic meant larger touch targets and clearer sequences—which benefited everyone.