BARROW'S Boots store has been one of just ten nationally taking part in a trial of a private prescribing pharmacist service.

The trial is said to be part of Boots’ ambition in the coming years to have a pharmacist prescriber available at every store.

Boots is now expanding its prescribing services through training bursaries for 500 pharmacists.

The value of the bursary is up to £7,000 per pharmacist, and it will enable time off work for those who need it to complete the training. 

It follows a 'successful' trial launched last year of the Boots In-Store Private Prescribing Service.

Boots hopes its commitment to invest in bursaries for 500 of its pharmacists who want to complete training to become pharmacist independent prescribers will accelerate its capacity to offer prescribing services in more of its stores. Its pharmacists have been invited to apply for the bursary for courses starting in September.  

As part of new university curriculums for pharmacy degrees, all newly qualified pharmacists from 2026 will be able to prescribe, so this move by Boots will support current pharmacists to gain this skill via courses accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).  

Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots, said: “At Boots, our ambition in the coming years is to have a pharmacist prescriber available at every store.

"Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals that, with the right training and support, will be fully equipped to prescribe certain medicines as well as dispense them. This will give patients greater and more convenient access to the medicines they need.   

“Our investment in training for 500 pharmacists and our private service for England demonstrates our commitment to the future potential for prescribing in community pharmacies, which we believe will save time and money for GPs and other parts of the NHS.” 

Under current GPhC guidelines and with an independent prescribing qualification, pharmacists can prescribe autonomously for any condition within their clinical competence.

 Through the Boots In-Store Private Prescribing Service, patients can access prescriptions, if appropriate, for around 60 medicines to treat conditions such as cystitis, acne, eczema and dermatitis, and impetigo.  

The Boots In-Store Private Prescribing Service costs £14.99 for the consultation and, if appropriate, for a private prescription to be issued.

The patient will pay a further charge, which covers the cost of the medicine, if the medication detailed on the private prescription is dispensed.  

  Earlier this year, Boots introduced a Shingles Vaccination Service and has just opened bookings for its Winter Flu Jab Service, which is offered to patients for free or behalf of the NHS and privately for patients who are not eligible for a free NHS flu jab.