Boots has today announced the expansion of its private in-store weight loss treatment service to an additional 44 stores in the UK.
It said it follows the “success” of the in-store pilot that Boots announced in February and launched in 17 stores last month.
Boots superintendent pharmacist Claire Nevinson previously told MPs at the Health and Social Care Committee in March that it planned to expand the services to 75 pharmacies by the end of April.
Read more: Boots announces new CEO as Hemmerdinger departs
Stores that will offer the service include those in Birmingham, Bristol and Glasgow, with Boots independent prescribing pharmacist Andrew Hogan saying there has been “strong interest” from patients since the pilot rolled out.
“The option to discuss treatment options right on the high street can help provide personalised advice and reassurance for patients looking to start their weight loss journey,” he said.
Read more: Pharmacist co-leads Boots research into dementia care
Boots also announced that it will add the newly approved oral Wegovy pill to its online and in-store weight loss services in the “coming weeks”.
It said this will give patients and healthcare professionals “greater choice when considering the most appropriate treatment approach”.
‘Free to anyone’
Boots’ in-store weight loss service includes an appointment with an independent prescriber pharmacist who will check if a patient is eligible by completing weight, height and BMI checks and asking questions about their health.
It said it expands the options for patients alongside the “existing weight loss support and expertise” the chain offers through Boots Online Doctor - which includes a 10-week free weight loss programme “promoting sustainable lifestyle and behavioural changes”, and a free 12-month aftercare programme for those who have stopped treatment.
It added that the 10-week programme is free to “anyone, whether they are accessing treatment from Boots or not”.
Read more: Boots pharmacy revenue dips as company’s overall profit grows
It comes after Australian pharmacy group Sigma Healthcare this month dropped out of talks over a potential takeover of Boots.
And it follows Boots’ superintendent telling MPs that community pharmacy is “perfectly placed” to deliver future NHS weight loss services.
