McKesson UK announced it had acquired Prescribing Support Services and Optimed Healthcare – which operates under Prescribing Support Services – both of which “work with commissioners and general practice to help support patients with managing medicines” – last month (December 21).

According to its website, Prescribing Support Services provides “NHS medicines optimisation services”, “NHS-commissioned clinical services”, such as anticoagulation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) services, and “frail, elderly medication reviews”. It also provides GP surgeries with practice pharmacists, managing their recruitment process and training, it said.

Optimed Healthcare designs pharmacist-led review services and NHS training programmes, according to its website.

McKesson UK said the acquisition will help “support the development of our pharmacists and their teams across our business, providing a clear route for them to foster and apply their clinical skills”.

“Growing this capability will allow us to support the delivery of services to the NHS in line with the…long-term plan and the NHS England clinical pharmacists in general practice scheme,” McKesson UK added.

“We are incredibly excited by this addition to our business and its contribution to a future model for pharmacy in the UK.”

When asked by C+D what the acquisitions mean for Lloydspharmacy branches, McKesson UK said it could not comment further on the announcement.

Last week, Boots announced it had bought health technology company Wiggly-Amps, which will allow patients to order their prescriptions online by linking to their health records.