What do you make of Boots' 3-for-2 deal?

I'm sure Boots have done this ethically and safeguards in SOPs will address all patient safeguarding issues and customers will benefit from pharmacist advice as well as best value on medicines purchases in these difficult economic times.

This is a totally unprofessional promotion and is already the subject of a very critical RPharmS press release. When pharmacists are constantly urged to attempt to ensure no hoarding of medicines at home, this supermarket style offer on OTC medicines, including P meds flies directly in the face of that with patient safety implications. No doubt loyalty points will be offered as well. The GPhC needs to up its game and amend the standards expected of pharmacy owners. This is a new low for the profession!

We are in a free market aren't we? The government have spoken medicines are just normal goods to sold as any other goods are sold when they removed retail price maintenance. Boots are really bringing the self care to forefront at a price people can afford. If the indvidual pharmacist disagrees with the policy they can always stop the sale they are professionals aren't they?
Who are RPharmS to complain at least Boots are proactive in trying maintain their business and safeguard jobs, have the professional bodies any undersatnd the financial pressures out in the high street?

Hi Chris,

I think that it will be very difficult for the Boots pharmacists to have any real impact with their professional judgement, as most are fully aware, it is not possible to intervene in every single counter sale, especially in a busier store. So the policing of this is going to be very difficult when the default position is 3 for 2.....

Just a thought

Thanks

Niall