One-To-One Pharmacist Advice In Your Own Home Boots Launches 'Virtual Pharmacist' Service

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Boots has launched the next generation of health advice - a pharmacist available to provide specialist advice direct to customers in the comfort of their own homes. Boots Live Pharmacist Service is just one of the innovative features on the re-launched and enhanced Boots.com. The pioneering service has been developed in response to demand from consumers for health advice from a trusted source in the evening, the time when they most need it.

With 41% of Brits needing access to health information after 6pm , demand for out-of-hours health advice is rapidly increasing. Boots Live Pharmacist Service is available from 6pm-midnight Monday to Saturday, and customers simply e-mail their questions for a call back from a Boots pharmacist within 20 minutes (last questions submitted 11.30pm for call back before midnight). According to recent statistics, more than a third of calls to NHS Direct concern home care advice that a pharmacist could help with. Boots Live Pharmacist Service helps provide callers with a quick, after hours response to questions on minor ailments.

Over a third of people surveyed (40%) use the internet to search for health information, whilst a further 23% turn to their pharmacist for every day health advice. The top five most researched subjects are allergies (23%), digestive problems (21%), medicine that has been prescribed (20%), colds and flu (19%) and forthcoming operations (19%). The 'live pharmacist' facility means that Boots now offers comprehensive online healthcare as well as expert advice in store.

Tricia Kennerley, Healthcare Development Director Boots, said, "Our customers have been telling us that they would like to have access to interactive health information and advice, available online from Boots. Boots Live Pharmacist Service is just one part of our healthcare strategy to provide the nation with comprehensive, trustworthy health advice that helps people to manage their own health more proactively."

Boots Live Pharmacist Service is part of the new look, easy to use Boots.com. The updated Pharmacy and Health section includes, prescription collection and private prescription services, expert advice in the form of 'ask boots' in partnership with the BMJ and information on Boots' in-store pharmacy services such as Boots Midnight Pharmacy and Medicine Use Reviews.

Boots Live Pharmacist Service