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Updated content, including references. Summary: 1. Structural change from decades (e.g. 2000s, 2010's) to structured chapters (e.g. Awards, early years, merger etc.) - readability. 2. Julian Harrison removed as 'founder' of P2U as this is inaccurate. 3. Amended 'Prescriptions (UK)' to '(England)'. Added awards, updated info and key people.
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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Pharmacy2U
| name = Pharmacy2U
| logo = <br />[[File:Pharmacy2U_update_logo_2017.png|220px|center|Pharmacy2U logo 2017]]
| logo = <br />[[File:Pharmacy2U_update_logo_2017.png|220px|center|Pharmacy2U logo 2017]]
| caption =
| caption =
| trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above -->
| trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above -->
| native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language -->
| native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-2 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-2 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
| romanized =
| romanized =
| former type =
| former type =
| type =
| type =
| traded_as =
| traded_as =
| industry = Online pharmacy
| industry = Online pharmacy
| genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies -->
| genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies -->
| fate =
| fate =
| predecessor =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| successor =
| foundation = 1999
| foundation = 1999
| founders = Daniel Lee and Julian Harrison
| founders = Daniel Lee
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| location_city = [[Leeds]]
| location_city = [[Leeds, UK]]
| location_country =
| location_country =
| locations =
| locations =
| area_served = Prescriptions (UK), Retail Products (Global)
| area_served = Prescriptions (England), Retail Products (Global)
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|[[Mark Livingstone]] ([[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])|[[Daniel Lee]] ([[Chief Pharmacy Officer|CPO]])|[[Gary Dannatt]] ([[Chief Operating Officer |COO]])|[[ Maya Moufarek]] ([[Chief Marketing Officer |CMO]])}}
| key_people =
| products =
| products =
| production =
| production =
| services =
| services =
| revenue = £25.8 million (2017)<ref name="beta.companieshouse.gov.uk">{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03802593/filing-history|title=PHARMACY2U LIMITED - Filing history (free information from Companies House)|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|accessdate=10 June 2018}}</ref>
| revenue = £43.2m (2018)<ref name="beta.companieshouse.gov.uk">{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03802593/filing-history|title=PHARMACY2U LIMITED - Filing history (free information from Companies House)|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|accessdate=31 March 2019}}</ref>
| operating_income =
| operating_income =
| net_income = -£20.3 million (2017)<ref name="beta.companieshouse.gov.uk"/>
| net_income = -£12.1m (2018)<ref name="beta.companieshouse.gov.uk"/>
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
| assets =
| assets =
| equity =
| equity =
| owner =
| owner =
| num_employees = 100
| num_employees = 360
| parent =
| parent =
| divisions =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| subsid =
| homepage = [https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk]
| homepage = [https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk]
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| intl =
⚫
| bodystyle =
| intl =
}}Pharmacy2U was founded by pharmacist Daniel Lee. They manage NHS repeat prescriptions for over 300,000 patients. They also offer an Online Doctor service. They are the largest NHS contracted Pharmacy according to the statistics for November 2018<ref name="Pharmacy and Appliance Contractor Dispensing Data">{{cite web|url=https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/prescription-data/dispensing-data/dispensing-contractors-data|title=NHS Business Services Authority statistics|website=Pharmacy and Appliance Contractor Dispensing Data|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref> from the [[A|NHS Business Services Authority]].
⚫
| bodystyle =
}}


⚫
=== 1. Foundation ===
'''Pharmacy2U''' is an online [[Mail Order Pharmacy|mail-order pharmacy]] located in the [[UK]]. The company was founded by pharmacist Daniel Lee in 1999. Pharmacy2U has been involved in piloting the electronic transfer of prescriptions in the UK.
Pharmacy2U was founded by pharmacist Daniel Lee in November 1999. It became the UK’s first online pharmacy and was inspired by a 1997 report by the [[National Health Service|NHS]] about its initiative to deliver prescriptions to patients more efficiently.


⚫
Initially, the [[British Medical Association]] expressed concern over the innovation and the National Pharmaceutical Association resisted the move towards filling prescriptions online due to concerns about changes to the medical industry’s infrastructure<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/537928.stm|title=UK's first online pharmacy opens|date=27 November 1999|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=BBC}}</ref>. However, an inspection positively recommended that Pharmacy2U stay open, which led to an amendment of the 1968 Medicines Act as well as the code of ethics of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. This allowed for the establishment of Internet-based pharmacies.
==History==


The Pharmacy2U website launched in June 2000, as the UK government allowed the transfer of prescriptions electronically<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/pharmacy2ucouk-relaunches-etp/130569?src_site=mediaweek|title=Pharmacy2u.co.uk relaunches for ETP.|last1=Nadeem|first1=Hubeena|date=9 June 2000|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Campaign}}</ref>. In August 2000, Pharmacy2U was one of the founding members of the European Association of Mail Service Pharmacies<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/25336|title=Internet-Apotheken: Qualitätssiegel entwickeln|date=August 2000|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=German Medical Journal}}</ref>.
⚫
===Foundation===
Founder Daniel Lee worked for his family's pharmacy business until 1999, when he decided to form his own company. His father owned a chain of chemists shops in [[Leeds]]. He thought of the idea to found an Internet mail-order pharmacy in 1997 after a report by the [[National Health Service|NHS]] about its initiative to deliver prescriptions to patients more efficiently. Although at the time it was not legal to sell prescriptions by mail in the UK, Lee sold his apartment for £100,000 in order to put the money into the creation of Pharmacy2u.co.uk, basing his shipping out of his father's pharmacy business. The site went live in November 1999, and used a courier service.<ref name=Clarke>{{cite news |publisher=''Money Week'' |title=Daniel Lee: The man who modernised prescriptions |date=August 29, 2008 |<!--blacklisted url=http://www.moneyweek.com/news-and-charts/daniel-lee-the-man-who-modernised-prescriptions-13529 -->|author=Jody Clarke}}</ref> Julian Harrison from [[Andersen Consulting]] became a director in January 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://startups.co.uk/pharmacy2u-daniel-lee-and-julian-harrison/|title=Pharmacy2U|author=Stephanie Welstead|first=|date=April 29, 2008|website=|publisher=''Startups''|accessdate=July 15, 2013}}</ref>


=== 2. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) ===
⚫
Pharmacy2U became the UK's first online pharmacy. The [[British Medical Association]] expressed concern over the innovation, and the National Pharmaceutical Association resisted the move towards filling prescriptions online in 1999. UK health organizations persistently pushed back against online ordering in 1999 due to concerns over change in the medical industry's infrastructure.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/537928.stm |title=UK's first online pharmacy opens |date=November 27, 1999 |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> A few days after they first opened an inspection team arrived in order to scrutinize their business practices and structure. The result of the inspection was a positive recommendation to stay open, which led to an amendment of the ''[[Medicines Act 1968|1968 Medicines Act]]'' as well as the codes of ethics of the [[Royal Pharmaceutical Society]] in order to allow for the establishment of Internet-based pharmacies.<ref>{{cite book |title=Secrets of My Success |author=Jamie Oliver |year=2009 |publisher=Crimson Publishing |pages=86–89}}</ref>
In 2001 Pharmacy2U was awarded a pilot program from the NHS for the electronic transfer of prescriptions<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalhealth.net/2002/06/pharmacy2u-launches-nhs-repeat-e-prescriptions-service/|title=Pharmacy2U Launches NHS Repeat E-prescriptions Service|date=27 June 2002|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Digital Health}}</ref>, where patients could request prescriptions electronically and receive a postal delivery instead of having to do an in-person pick-up<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/2716274/Whitehall-is-late-getting-online.html|title=Whitehall is late getting online|date=29 April 2001|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=The Telegraph}}</ref>.


⚫
Pharmacy2U was one of only three companies chosen by the NHS to run the pilot programme and trial, which covered prescriptions in [[Stockport]] and the South of England. It focused on the requesting and electronic prescribing of repeat prescriptions and their home delivery. Seventy general practice surgeries were involved, as well as partners [[EMIS Health]], Hadley Healthcare, and the NorthWest Co-op in the UK<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/online-pharmacies-doctor-downloaded/161139?src_site=brandrepublic|title=Online Pharmacies: What the doctor downloaded|last1=Goddard|first1=Charlotte|date=16 October 2002|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Campaign}}</ref>.
===2000s===
In June 2000 the company relaunched its website as the UK government allowed the transfer of prescriptions electronically.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/130569/Pharmacy2ucouk-relaunches-ETP/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |publisher=''[[Mediaweek]]'' |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |title=Pharmacy2u.co.uk relaunches for ETP |date=June 9, 2000 |author=Hubeena Nadeem}}</ref> In August 2000 Pharmacy2U was one of the founding members of the European Association of Mail Service Pharmacies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/25336 |title=Internet-Apotheken: Qualitätssiegel entwickeln |publisher=''Aertzeblatt'' |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |date=August 2000}}</ref> In October 2000 the firm OnMedica invested £2 million into Pharmacy2U.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/132824/OnMedica-buys-MediDesk/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |title=OnMedica buys MediDesk |author=Mark Sweeney |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |date=January 25, 2001 |publisher=''Campaign Live''}}</ref> By 2001 the website had about half a million pounds in sales.<ref name=Clarke />


=== 3. Early years ===
In November 2000 the company launched the first ever advertising campaign for an online pharmacy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/132269/Ad-launch-internet-pharmacy/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |date=November 22, 2000 |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |title=Ad launch for internet pharmacy |publisher=''[[Mediaweek]]''}}</ref> In 2001 the company was used as a benchmark for price comparison for pharmaceuticals in the UK by the [[BBC]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1333397.stm |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |title=Medicine price monitor |date=May 16, 2001}}</ref> In 2001 the company was awarded a pilot program from the NHS for the electronic transfer of prescriptions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ehi.co.uk/news/EHI/209/pharmacy2u-launches-nhs-repeat-e-prescriptions-service |accessdate=July 15, 2013 |date=June 27, 2002 |title=Pharmacy2U Launches NHS Repeat E-prescriptions Service |publisher=''eHealth Insider''}}</ref> In 2001 Pharmacy2U also produced the UK's first mail order pharmacy catalogue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://econsultancy.com/ca/nma-archive/49719-pharmacy2u-first-with-drugs-by-mail-order |date=May 17, 2001 |accessdate=July 15, 2013 |title=Pharmacy2U first with drugs by mail order |publisher=''eConsultancy''}}</ref> The company also provided non-prescription health and beauty products for sale.<ref name=Goddard2>{{cite web |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/86000/DoubleClick-lures-new-clients/ |author=Lexie Goddard |title=DoubleClick lures new clients |date=October 16, 2000 |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |publisher=''[[Brand Republic]]''}}</ref>
In 2003 [[The Guardian]] stated that Pharmacy2U had organised the biggest change in the UK market in moving towards electronic prescriptions by “allowing patients” prescriptions to be delivered anywhere in the UK for no extra charge. Delivery required the signature of the patient or their named representative". By that year it had incorporated 142 surgeries into its program<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2003/jul/10/medicineandhealth.onlinesupplement|title=Inside IT: All good things come to an end|last1=Mathieson|first1=S. A.|date=10 July 2003|work=The Guardian|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref>.


⚫
By 2008 the company was serving 250 general practice surgeries and provided white label pharmacy e-commerce systems for supermarkets<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cio.com.au/article/251035/virtualization_software_will_help_optimize_it_business/|title=Virtualization Software Will Help Optimize IT for Business|last1=Caldwell|first1=Tracey|date=30 June 2008|work=CIO|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=CIO}}</ref>. with £12 million in sales<ref>{{cite news|url=https://moneyweek.com/31122/daniel-lee-the-man-who-modernised-prescriptions-13529/|title=Daniel Lee: The man who modernised prescriptions|last1=Clarke|first1=Jody|date=29 August 2008|work=MoneyWeek|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=MoneyWeek}}</ref>. They also launched an automated phone prescription service allowing patients to request their repeat prescriptions by telephone<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/pharmacy2u-launches-automated-prescription-service|title=Pharmacy2U launches automated prescription service {{!}} Chemist+Druggist|last1=Waldron|first1=James|date=5 July 2012|work=www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Chemist and Druggist}}</ref>.
⚫
In 2001 Pharmacy2U backed an electronic transfer of prescription pilot where patients could request prescriptions electronically and receive a postal delivery instead of having to do an in-person pick-up.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/2716274/Whitehall-is-late-getting-online.html |title=Whitehall is late getting online |date=April 29, 2001 |publisher=''[[The Telegraph (newspaper)]]'' |accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref> It was one of three companies chosen by the NHS to run the pilot program and trial, which covered prescriptions in [[Stockport]] and the South of England. It focused on the requesting and electronic prescribing of repeat prescriptions and their home delivery. Seventy general practice surgeries were involved, as well as partners [[EMIS Health]], Hadley Healthcare, and the NorthWest Co-op in UK.<ref name=Goddard>{{cite web |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/161139/ONLINE?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |title=ONLINE PHARMACIES: What the doctor downloaded |author=Charlotte Goddard |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |date=October 16, 2002 |publisher=''[[Brand Republic]]''}}</ref>


In October 2015, Pharmacy2U were fined by the [[Information Commissioner's Office|Information Commissioner’s Office]] for selling the names and addresses of patients without their permission. Pharmacy2U apologised for the “regrettable incident”<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/pharmacy2u-nhs-approved-pharmacy-fined-130000-for-selling-patients-details-without-their-consent-a6701411.html|title=NHS-approved pharmacy fined for selling patients' details without their consent|last1=Green|first1=Chris|date=20 October 2015|work=The Independent|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Independent|language=en}}</ref>, and following a review of their internal policies agreed to no longer sell any patient data.
In 2003 ''[[The Guardian]]'' stated that Pharmacy2U had organized the biggest change in the UK market in moving towards electronic prescriptions by "allowing patients' prescriptions to be delivered anywhere in the UK for no extra charge. Delivery required the signature of the patient or their named representative". By that year it had incorporated 142 surgeries into its program.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2003/jul/10/medicineandhealth.onlinesupplement |date=July 10, 2003 |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |title=All good things come to an end |author=SA Mathieson}}</ref> In 2004 an evaluation of the technical models used in the English ETP pilots was undertaken by Bob Sugden and Rob Wilson, in which they stated that the pilots had been technically viable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://irgen.ncl.ac.uk/dav/public/resist/SugdenWilson.pdf |title=Electronic transmission of prescriptions |author=Bob Sugden and Rob Wilson |publisher=IFIP |accessdate=July 15, 2013 |year=2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/1828383/online-dispensary-consolidates-disaster-plans#ixzz2VUdZcF00 |publisher=''Computing'' |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |date=April 26, 2007 |title=Online dispensary consolidates disaster plans}}</ref> Studies commissioned by Pharmacy2U revealed that one third of UK patients' prescriptions were not filled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.practicebusiness.co.uk/news/1458/a-third-of-patients-fail-to-have-scripts-filled/ |publisher=''Practice Business'' |title=A third of patients failed to have scripts filled |date=March 1, 2012 |accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref>


During the opening of their £3.5 million Leeds-based dispensary in 2015, Pharmacy2U stopped providing medication for several weeks due to a failure in their automated dispensing system<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/nhs-england-calls-pharmacy2u-its-game-after|title=GPhC to carry out 'special inspection' of Pharmacy2U {{!}} Chemist+Druggist|last1=Horti|first1=Samuel|date=22 December 2015|work=www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Chemist and Druggist}}</ref>. The problems were corrected in January 2016 and Pharmacy2U won the Logistics awards for ‘best new facility’ in September 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.logisticsawards.co.uk/en/about/winners.html|title=Previous Winners {{!}} The Logistics Awards 2019|website=www.logisticsawards.co.uk|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>. in 2018 the facility served over 300,000 patients.
In 2007, the company was presented with the [[Yorkshire Post]]'s Small Business of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peers honour region's top business talent|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/peers-honour-region-s-top-business-talent-1-2484213|accessdate=28 July 2016|publisher=Yorkshire Post|date=15 December 2007}}</ref>


=== 4. 2016 and the merger with ChemistDirect.co.uk ===
⚫
In 2008 the company had £12 million in sales.<ref name=Clarke /> At this point it served 250 general practice surgeries and provided white label pharmacy ecommerce systems for supermarkets.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cio.com.au/article/251035/virtualization_software_will_help_optimize_it_business/ |title=Virtualization Software Will Help Optimize IT for Business |date=June 30, 2008 |accessdate=June 6, 2013 |author=Tracey Caldwell |publisher=''[[CIO Magazine]]''}}</ref> In 2012 Andy Hornby became chairman of the board for the company.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/19/andy-hornby-third-job-hbos-pharmacy2u |title=Andy Hornby takes third job since leaving HBOS |date=June 19, 2012 |accessdate=July 15, 2013 |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' |author=Simon Goodley}}</ref> That year the company also launched an automated phone prescription service allowing patients to request repeat prescriptions by telephone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news-content/-/article_display_list/14229717/pharmacy2u-launches-automated-prescription-service |title=Pharmacy2U launches automated prescription service |author=James Waldron |publisher=''Chemist and Druggist'' |accessdate=July 16, 2013 |date=July 5, 2012}}</ref>
In January 2016, Pharmacy2U merged with [[Chemist Direct|ChemistDirect.co.uk]] who specialise in over-the-counter remedies and everyday hygiene products. The deal was reported to be worth more than £40 million including investment from specialist healthcare investor G Square and was supported by £10 million from the [[Business Growth Fund|Business Growth Fund (BGF)]]. It led to a combined customer base of 1.5 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bgf.co.uk/pharmacy2u-secures-40m-investment/|title=Pharmacy2U secures further investment|date=26 March 2018|website=BGF|publisher=Business Growth Fund|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>.


===2010s===
=== 5. New executive team ===
ChemistDirect.co.uk’s Mark Livingstone took on the role of [[Chief executive officer|Chief Executive Officer (CEO)]] for the newly formed group with Daniel Lee moving to Chief Pharmacy Officer. He previously worked as CEO and co-founder of subscription entertainment company [[LoveFilm]] and was a founding investor in healthy snack company [[Graze (company)|Graze]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/entrepreneur-interviews/entrepreneurs/getting-to-know-you-mark-livingstone-ceo-pharmacy2u/|title=Getting To Know You: Mark Livingstone, CEO, Pharmacy2U|date=31 October 2018|work=Business Matters|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Business Matters}}</ref>.
In October 2015 the company was fined £130,000 for selling patients' personal data to international scammers.<ref name="auto">{{cite_web | url=http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2431220/nhs-approved-online-pharmacy-fined-gbp130-000-for-selling-customer-data |title=NHS-approved online pharmacy fined £130,000 for selling customer data |date= 20 October 2015 ||publisher=V3.co.uk}}</ref> The [[Information Commissioner's Office]] found that the company had sold patients' names and addresses without permission. They were not accused of passing on medical information. The buyers, including a health supplements company, were warned for misleading advertising and unverified health claims. An Australian lottery company was said to have deliberately targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|title=Pharmacy hit with £130,000 fine for selling on patient data|url=http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/your-practice/practice-topics/it/pharmacy-hit-with-130000-fine-for-selling-on-patient-data/20030257.article|accessdate=21 October 2015|publisher=Pulse|date=20 October 2015}}</ref>


Livingstone said, “Pharmacy2U has enjoyed a phenomenal period of high growth and we’re delighted to have secured investment from healthcare specialist investor G Square and our existing backers BGF, which will help us continue to innovate and improve our service for our patients<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bgf.co.uk/pharmacy2u-secures-40m-investment/|title=Pharmacy2U secures further investment|date=26 March 2018|website=Business Growth Fund|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>”.
In December 2015 the company stopped providing medication for several weeks due to a failure of their automated dispensing system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3379481/Fury-thousands-NHS-patients-left-without-essential-medicines-weeks-UK-s-biggest-online-pharmacy-goes-meltdown.html|title=Thousands left without medicines after online pharmacy meltdown|publisher=|accessdate=10 June 2018}}</ref>


The executive team were joined by Maya Moufarek as Chief Marketing Officer and Gary Dannatt as Chief Operating Officer.
In January 2016, a study on adherence research, co-funded by the firm,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lyons|first1=Imogen|last2=Barber|first2=Nicholas|last3=Raynor|first3=David|last4=Wei|first4=Li|title=The Medicines Advice Service Evaluation (MASE): a randomised controlled trial of a pharmacist-led telephone based intervention designed to improve medication adherence|journal=BMJ Quality and Safety|date=11 January 2016|url=http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2016/01/11/bmjqs-2015-004670|accessdate=28 July 2016}}</ref> concluded that "telephone intervention, led by a pharmacist and tailored to the individuals’ needs, can significantly improve medication adherence in patients with long-term conditions, using a mail-order pharmacy. Further work is needed to confirm a trend towards improved clinical outcome."


=== 6. 2016 onwards ===
According to the statistics for March 2016 from the [[NHS Business Services Authority]], Pharmacy2U was the largest NHS contracted Pharmacy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pharmacy and Appliance Contractor Dispensing Data|url=http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices/5045.aspx|website=NHSBSA|accessdate=28 July 2016}}</ref>
Pharmacy2U has seen a 212% increase in sign-ups over the last year with over 300,000 people now using the service. As of March 2019, Pharmacy2U is rated ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot from over 100,000 reviews<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.pharmacy2u.co.uk|title=Pharmacy2U Ltd is rated "Excellent" with 9.0 / 10 on Trustpilot|website=Trustpilot|language=en-gb|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>. Research commissioned by Pharmacy2U showed that, on average, they were paid 38p less per item than an average high street pharmacy. As of April 2014 they were paid £4,157,107 less in fees<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/mythbusters/did-you-know-pharmacy2u-is-paid-less-by-the-nhs|title=Did you know Pharmacy2U is paid less by the NHS?|website=www.pharmacy2u.co.uk|publisher=Pharmacy2U|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>. In July 2017, Pharmacy2U’s direct mail was criticised for leaving patients “confused” about their repeat prescriptions. This led to an overhaul of their direct mail and messaging<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/829082/Pharmacy2U-repeat-prescriptions-NHS-P2U-Leeds-direct-mail|title=Pharmacy2U repeat prescriptions: NHS patients ‘confused’ over P2U direct mail campaign|last1=Tominey|first1=Camilla|date=16 July 2017|work=Express.co.uk|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Express|language=en}}</ref>. A feature on the future of prescriptions for [[Wired (magazine)|Wired magazine]], stated that Pharmacy2U will be able to distribute nearly six million medications a month by 2020<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/a-prescription-for-the-future|title=A prescription for the future|date=21 August 2018|work=Wired UK|accessdate=25 March 2019|publisher=Wired UK}}</ref>.


=== 7. Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/press-and-awards.html|title=Press and awards|website=www.pharmacy2u.co.uk|publisher=Pharmacy2U|accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref> ===
In July 2016, Pharmacy2U announced a merger with [[Chemist Direct]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Leeds’ Pharmacy2U completes £40m merger with Chemist Direct to create industry giant|url=https://bdaily.co.uk/industrials/04-07-2016/leeds-pharmacy2u-completes-40m-merger-chemist-direct/|accessdate=28 July 2016|publisher=Bdaily|date=4 July 2016}}</ref>
<br />


* '''‘Amazon Growing Business of the Year Award’''' | Amazon Business Awards | 2018
In 2018 the company was dispensing 300,000 items a month,<ref>{{cite news |title=Online dispensing could save NHS £1.2bn, Pharmacy2U tells MPs |url=https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20205034.article |accessdate=4 September 2018 |publisher=Pharmaceutical Journal |date=20 June 2018}}</ref> with an average of an 24,417 each month, nearly eight times more than Homeward Pharmacy, the remote pharmacy with the next highest dispensing rate.
* '''‘Warehouse Operations’''' | CILT Annual Awards for Excellence | 2017

* '''‘Overall winner’ and ‘best new facility’''' | The Logistics Awards | 2017
The company was in a legal dispute in late 2018 over the rights of the contact details of members of the [[National Pharmacy Association]]. The presiding judge expressed concerns over the company's ability to "pick off" individual members.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/pharmacy2u-loses-legal-battle-for-contact-details-of-npa-members/20205910.article&firstPass=false| title = Pharmacy2U loses legal battle for contact details of NPA members| publisher = Pharmaceutical Journal| last = Wickware| first = Carolyn| accessdate = 2018-12-29}}</ref>
* '''‘Small business of the Year Award’''' | The Yorkshire Post | 2007<br />

It bought Wiggly-Amps, a health technology company, in January 2019, as part of a plan to allow patients to order prescriptions online by linking with their GP records.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pharmacy2U dispensed nearly a quarter of a million prescriptions monthly in 2017/2018 |url=https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20205999.article |accessdate=27 February 2019 |publisher=Pharmaceutical Journal |date=15 January 2019}}</ref>

Although the company claims to deliver prescribed medication to any UK address, their website states that the service is available only to patients registered with a GP in England.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/ Official website]


[[User:C Cantrill|C Cantrill]] ([[User talk:C Cantrill|talk]]) 15:30, 17 April 2019 (UTC)
[[Category:Pharmacies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Pharmacies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in England]]

Revision as of 10:25, 17 April 2019

Pharmacy2U
IndustryOnline pharmacy
Founded1999
FoundersDaniel Lee
Headquarters
Leeds, UK
Area served
Prescriptions (England), Retail Products (Global)
Key people
Revenue£43.2m (2018)[1]
-£12.1m (2018)[1]
Number of employees
360
Website[1]

Pharmacy2U was founded by pharmacist Daniel Lee. They manage NHS repeat prescriptions for over 300,000 patients. They also offer an Online Doctor service. They are the largest NHS contracted Pharmacy according to the statistics for November 2018[2] from the NHS Business Services Authority.

1. Foundation

Pharmacy2U was founded by pharmacist Daniel Lee in November 1999. It became the UK’s first online pharmacy and was inspired by a 1997 report by the NHS about its initiative to deliver prescriptions to patients more efficiently.

Initially, the British Medical Association expressed concern over the innovation and the National Pharmaceutical Association resisted the move towards filling prescriptions online due to concerns about changes to the medical industry’s infrastructure[3]. However, an inspection positively recommended that Pharmacy2U stay open, which led to an amendment of the 1968 Medicines Act as well as the code of ethics of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. This allowed for the establishment of Internet-based pharmacies.

The Pharmacy2U website launched in June 2000, as the UK government allowed the transfer of prescriptions electronically[4]. In August 2000, Pharmacy2U was one of the founding members of the European Association of Mail Service Pharmacies[5].

2. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

In 2001 Pharmacy2U was awarded a pilot program from the NHS for the electronic transfer of prescriptions[6], where patients could request prescriptions electronically and receive a postal delivery instead of having to do an in-person pick-up[7].

Pharmacy2U was one of only three companies chosen by the NHS to run the pilot programme and trial, which covered prescriptions in Stockport and the South of England. It focused on the requesting and electronic prescribing of repeat prescriptions and their home delivery. Seventy general practice surgeries were involved, as well as partners EMIS Health, Hadley Healthcare, and the NorthWest Co-op in the UK[8].

3. Early years

In 2003 The Guardian stated that Pharmacy2U had organised the biggest change in the UK market in moving towards electronic prescriptions by “allowing patients” prescriptions to be delivered anywhere in the UK for no extra charge. Delivery required the signature of the patient or their named representative". By that year it had incorporated 142 surgeries into its program[9].

By 2008 the company was serving 250 general practice surgeries and provided white label pharmacy e-commerce systems for supermarkets[10]. with £12 million in sales[11]. They also launched an automated phone prescription service allowing patients to request their repeat prescriptions by telephone[12].

In October 2015, Pharmacy2U were fined by the Information Commissioner’s Office for selling the names and addresses of patients without their permission. Pharmacy2U apologised for the “regrettable incident”[13], and following a review of their internal policies agreed to no longer sell any patient data.

During the opening of their £3.5 million Leeds-based dispensary in 2015, Pharmacy2U stopped providing medication for several weeks due to a failure in their automated dispensing system[14]. The problems were corrected in January 2016 and Pharmacy2U won the Logistics awards for ‘best new facility’ in September 2017[15]. in 2018 the facility served over 300,000 patients.

4. 2016 and the merger with ChemistDirect.co.uk

In January 2016, Pharmacy2U merged with ChemistDirect.co.uk who specialise in over-the-counter remedies and everyday hygiene products. The deal was reported to be worth more than £40 million including investment from specialist healthcare investor G Square and was supported by £10 million from the Business Growth Fund (BGF). It led to a combined customer base of 1.5 million[16].

5. New executive team

ChemistDirect.co.uk’s Mark Livingstone took on the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the newly formed group with Daniel Lee moving to Chief Pharmacy Officer. He previously worked as CEO and co-founder of subscription entertainment company LoveFilm and was a founding investor in healthy snack company Graze[17].

Livingstone said, “Pharmacy2U has enjoyed a phenomenal period of high growth and we’re delighted to have secured investment from healthcare specialist investor G Square and our existing backers BGF, which will help us continue to innovate and improve our service for our patients[18]”.

The executive team were joined by Maya Moufarek as Chief Marketing Officer and Gary Dannatt as Chief Operating Officer.

6. 2016 onwards

Pharmacy2U has seen a 212% increase in sign-ups over the last year with over 300,000 people now using the service. As of March 2019, Pharmacy2U is rated ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot from over 100,000 reviews[19]. Research commissioned by Pharmacy2U showed that, on average, they were paid 38p less per item than an average high street pharmacy. As of April 2014 they were paid £4,157,107 less in fees[20]. In July 2017, Pharmacy2U’s direct mail was criticised for leaving patients “confused” about their repeat prescriptions. This led to an overhaul of their direct mail and messaging[21]. A feature on the future of prescriptions for Wired magazine, stated that Pharmacy2U will be able to distribute nearly six million medications a month by 2020[22].

7. Awards[23]


  • ‘Amazon Growing Business of the Year Award’ | Amazon Business Awards | 2018
  • ‘Warehouse Operations’ | CILT Annual Awards for Excellence | 2017
  • ‘Overall winner’ and ‘best new facility’ | The Logistics Awards | 2017
  • ‘Small business of the Year Award’ | The Yorkshire Post | 2007

C Cantrill (talk) 15:30, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

  1. ^ a b "PHARMACY2U LIMITED - Filing history (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  2. ^ "NHS Business Services Authority statistics". Pharmacy and Appliance Contractor Dispensing Data. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  3. ^ "UK's first online pharmacy opens". BBC. 27 November 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  4. ^ Nadeem, Hubeena (9 June 2000). "Pharmacy2u.co.uk relaunches for ETP". Campaign. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Internet-Apotheken: Qualitätssiegel entwickeln". German Medical Journal. August 2000. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Pharmacy2U Launches NHS Repeat E-prescriptions Service". Digital Health. 27 June 2002. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Whitehall is late getting online". The Telegraph. 29 April 2001. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. ^ Goddard, Charlotte (16 October 2002). "Online Pharmacies: What the doctor downloaded". Campaign. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  9. ^ Mathieson, S. A. (10 July 2003). "Inside IT: All good things come to an end". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  10. ^ Caldwell, Tracey (30 June 2008). "Virtualization Software Will Help Optimize IT for Business". CIO. CIO. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  11. ^ Clarke, Jody (29 August 2008). "Daniel Lee: The man who modernised prescriptions". MoneyWeek. MoneyWeek. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  12. ^ Waldron, James (5 July 2012). "Pharmacy2U launches automated prescription service | Chemist+Druggist". www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk. Chemist and Druggist. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  13. ^ Green, Chris (20 October 2015). "NHS-approved pharmacy fined for selling patients' details without their consent". The Independent. Independent. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  14. ^ Horti, Samuel (22 December 2015). "GPhC to carry out 'special inspection' of Pharmacy2U | Chemist+Druggist". www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk. Chemist and Druggist. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Previous Winners | The Logistics Awards 2019". www.logisticsawards.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Pharmacy2U secures further investment". BGF. Business Growth Fund. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Getting To Know You: Mark Livingstone, CEO, Pharmacy2U". Business Matters. Business Matters. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Pharmacy2U secures further investment". Business Growth Fund. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Pharmacy2U Ltd is rated "Excellent" with 9.0 / 10 on Trustpilot". Trustpilot. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Did you know Pharmacy2U is paid less by the NHS?". www.pharmacy2u.co.uk. Pharmacy2U. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  21. ^ Tominey, Camilla (16 July 2017). "Pharmacy2U repeat prescriptions: NHS patients 'confused' over P2U direct mail campaign". Express.co.uk. Express. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  22. ^ "A prescription for the future". Wired UK. Wired UK. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Press and awards". www.pharmacy2u.co.uk. Pharmacy2U. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
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