BOOTS CHARGE FOR MEDICINE DELIVERY

Councillor Jim Bollan and Jackie Baillie MSP

By Bill Heaney

Dumbarton constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, has said that the introduction of a delivery charge for prescriptions by Boots the Chemist will impact on the most frail and vulnerable people in our communities.

And Community Party councillor Jim Bollan has called on local people to boycott the pharmaceutical giant in response to this move.

The health and beauty retailer will introduce a UK-wide charge for delivery of prescriptions from the end of September, the charge will apply to customers who order prescriptions through their local Boots branch.

Customers will have to pay £5 for a one-off delivery or an annual charge of £55 to continue using the prescription delivery service if they order their prescription through a Boots store. Customers who order their prescriptions online will be spared the cost of delivery.

The MSP has said that this is an attack on the most elderly and vulnerable, many of whom will not have access to the internet to make use of the online order service.

Jackie Baillie said:  “This decision is an attack on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Some people rely on the delivery service to access vital medication.

“Many older people, in particular, will not have access to the internet to make use of the online ordering system which would save them the cost of delivery.

“It is disappointing that a retailer of this size has taken this decision, especially at a time when people are already struggling to meet the costs of every day living. I would urge them to reverse this decision to ensure that older people can continue to access the medication that they rely on.”