Barrow customers have called Boots’ decision to charge people for prescription deliveries ‘a tax on sick people’.

This month Boots customers have been sent letters informing them that from the end of September, prescriptions deliveries will cost £5 per delivery or £55 on an annual basis.

The reason for this was Boots recently launched an online repeat prescription service, which includes free postal delivery for all patients.

But for patients who wish to have their prescriptions delivered from store, Boots has introduced the charges.

Christopher Smith, 42, from Walney claimed this new charge is essentially ‘a tax on sick people who need medication.’

He said: “I use Boots regularly as I suffered a stroke in the past.

“Without this medication I could die.

“Boots deciding to bring in this £5 charge is an outrage.

“I’m not just speaking for myself.

“I know one woman I know is in a mobility scooter and has to get a prescription delivery because she struggles to get about.”

Richard Bradley Pharmacy Director at Boots UK spoke about the charges, he said: “Community pharmacy is unquestionably facing challenges and we need to adapt our offer to respond.

“As a result, we have invested heavily in digital technologies to offer a free, easy-to-use service.

“Patients who make use of the in-store service will be required to pay for delivery should they require it, with exceptions in place to cover our most vulnerable patients in circumstances where their care necessitates delivery.”