Alliance Boots ‘may adopt Walgreens IT and pharmacy service strategies’

Alliance Boots is considering the possibility of adopting the IT and pharmacy service strategies of US-based Walgreens, its new strategic partner.

Ornella Barra, chief executive of Alliance Boots' pharmaceutical wholesale division, told Chemist and Druggist that the company is keen to learn from the innovative new pharmacy services Walgreens has developed for the US.

Measures under consideration include the introduction of free HIV testing and the introduction of vending machines to Boots stores, the latter of which could help to free up time for pharmacy staff.

Ms Barra said: "As far as Boots stores in the UK are concerned, we'll evaluate all product brand opportunities from a customer-centric perspective. If the customer wants it, you can expect us to progress it."

The new partnership was announced last month and will see Alliance Boots sell 45 percent of its business to Walgreens for around 4.27 billion pounds.

It will create the world's largest pharmacy-led health and wellbeing retailer, operating more than 11,000 stores in 12 countries.