Boots said it is “continuing [its] journey” to comply with the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) – which will require all pharmacies to be able to scan barcodes on medicines packaging at the point of dispensing from February 9.

However, its rollout has been hindered by “early delays of clarity in requirements and uncertainty due to Brexit”, it told C+D last week (January 25).

A “standalone solution” will be introduced to “some stores” in February, with “the majority” of its pharmacies implementing the FMD later, as part of a new pharmacy management and record system, which will have an “integrated FMD solution”, the multiple said.

“This will bring additional patient safety checks, as well as FMD compliance,” it added.

Boots did not say when the system would go live.

Lloydspharmacy informs GPhC

Lloydspharmacy said it has a “robust rollout plan” in place. However, it has “advised the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that not all our stores will be compliant by February 9”.

Lloydspharmacy has been working with suppliers to “find a solution that is right for both our business and colleagues” and FMD equipment is being delivered to its branches, it added. Feedback from its pharmacies which have participated in its FMD pilot will inform the multiple’s plans.

“We want to make absolutely sure that our teams are comfortable before the system goes live…and before we introduce additional steps in their already busy day,” Lloydspharmacy said.

Almost two thirds (64%) of contractors who responded to C+D’s 2018 Salary Survey in October – most of whom were based in England – said they were unprepared for the FMD.

Rowlands has also confirmed not all of its branches will be live with the FMD by the February 9 deadline.