Superdrug has launched a three-hour prescription delivery service, which it claims makes it the "fastest online doctor service in the UK".

The Shutl service enables customers to obtain a prescription through Superdrug's online doctor and have it delivered to their home within three hours, the multiple announced yesterday (July 8).

The nationwide roll-out of the service followed "positive results" from the pilot project in London, where the express service has been available since March, Superdrug said.

All customers who order prescriptions before 4pm will be able to request three-hour delivery or choose another one-hour time slot that is convenient. Patients will continue to be able to choose Superdrug's existing delivery options of next-day delivery or collection from their nearest Superdrug branch.

Superdrug said the service would enable patients to access regular or emergency medication – the morning-after pill, contraceptives and asthma inhalers, for example – "without delay". Prices depend on the patient's location and availability of couriers, and can range from £5.32 to £40, with an average price of £9.40.

The multiple stressed that the express delivery time should "make it easy for busy people to look after their health". "Once our doctor has established that a patient can take a particular medication, we want them to benefit from their treatment as quickly as possible," said Simon Lea, business development manager at Superdrug.

In May, Superdrug told C+D it was working to develop its online offering.

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