Pharmacy2U and LloydsDirect unite as one digital-first pharmacy under the Pharmacy2U brand

Today Pharmacy2U has announced that it has acquired LloydsDirect, bringing together two of the most trusted and experienced online pharmacies in the UK.

Over time we expect to see both pharmacies merge their operations under the Pharmacy2U brand. Pharmacy2U and LloydsDirect share a heritage in online pharmacy and repeat dispensing, sending NHS prescription medicines to patients’ homes while liaising with their GP. Bringing together their pharmacy knowledge and online expertise combined with state-of-the-art dispensing technology, this creates the opportunity to offer patients greater accessibility to online pharmacy and healthcare services.

The two businesses complement each other perfectly and the teams will now work closely together to retain the patient –centricity and service excellence for which both are individually famous. Pharmacy2U admires LloydsDirect’s technological innovation with online patient experience and their sustainability ethos as a certified B Corp. Pharmacy2U has invested in its industry- leading clinical care and automated dispensing technology, digitalising access to NHS services and a growing health E- commerce offering.

Together the businesses are united in their mission to put patients at the centre of everything they do; enabling accessible, exceptional healthcare whenever and wherever their patients need it.

‘We are delighted to welcome the LloydsDirect team into the Pharmacy2U family. We have admired their significant achievements over the past 8 years, in particular their innovation in patient experience and focus on sustainability. Combining the best of both of our businesses, we can provide patients with greater access and convenience. Together we bring committed leadership, a passion for pharmacy and an expanded portfolio of digital health products and services coupled with a state-of-the-art dispensing technology. We are excited to bring together two businesses aligned by patient centric values and online expertise to further enable pharmacy to benefit the NHS and its patients’.

Kevin Heath, CEO – Pharmacy2U

‘First and foremost, we believe this will be good for our patients and the work we do to support the NHS. The success of both businesses is testament to the work of the Pharmacy2U and LloydsDirect teams in delivering pharmacy in an accessible and convenient way to help patients manage their prescriptions and their health. We look forward to working as one pharmacy team leveraging cutting edge technology and automation in dispensing and offering greater access to digital services in the future’.

Connie Cha, Managing Director – LloydsDirect

About Pharmacy2U

A leading provider of NHS primary care services, Pharmacy2U is a digital-first pharmacy, first established in 1999. They have a proud heritage of partnership with the NHS, supporting innovation in the health system for over 24 years.

With a background in repeat dispensing, their centralised and automated dispensing hubs utilise state of-the-art dispensing technology to help over 750,000 patients across England access their repeat prescriptions more conveniently, while reducing pressure on the NHS. In recent years, they have looked to build on their digital expertise to provide industry leading, remote clinical care – for example through the NHS New Medicine Service – supporting more patients to access high quality NHS care in their preferred setting.

Across their repeat dispensing and clinical services offer, their ambition is to bolster NHS capacity in the delivery of sustainable and forward-looking primary care services that most effectively meet the needs of the populations they serve, embracing innovation and patient choice.

Their collaborative approach was exemplified most significantly in their partnership with the NHS to rapidly stand-up over 30 COVID-19 vaccination clinics around the country, ultimately administering over 1.5 million vaccination doses.

As the NHS continues its recovery from the pandemic, Pharmacy2U were delighted to see NHS England’s ‘Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care’ set out a vision of proactive and personalised care that delivers for patients, as well as empowering them to take control of their own health – with a clear role for digital and remote services. With pharmacy set to play an ever-growing role in patient care, they are continuously looking at new ways to improve and expand patient access to new pharmacy services, ensuring that the sector is able to adapt and innovate in line with system and patient need.

About LloydsDirect

LloydsDirect, formerly known as Echo, was established in 2015, with the mission to offer healthcare services that are simple and accessible for everyone.

Previously part of The LloydsPharmacy group, they help more than 500,000 patients in England access their repeat prescriptions more conveniently, while reducing the pressure on the NHS.

LloydsDirect was extremely proud to become a certified B Corp in 2022, mindful of the impact of businesses on people and the planet.

LloydsDirect has invested in its online customer experience, such as family medicines management, and they believe accessibility should not be limited by a patient’s digital expertise.

They are looking for new ways to provide greater patient access to pharmacy products and services.

For further enquiries please contact

Pharmacy2U Press Office: pharmacy2U@theacademypr.com

Pharmacy2U were advised by Lazard and Squire Patton Boggs.

LloydsDirect were advised by KPMG and Goodwin Procter.

Patient questions and answers

Will there be any changes to the way I order and receive my medicines?

We can reassure you that there will be no changes to the way you place your prescription order and how you receive your medicines. There are no changes to the service you receive today.

Will you still remind me to order my prescription as now?

If you have set up order reminders, yes you will continue to receive reminders to order your medicines in the same way you do now. There are no changes.

Will you communicate with my GP in the same way as now?

Yes we continue to work with your GP in exactly the same way as now. There are no changes.

Will I be able to continue to use the app?

Yes you will be able to use either the iPhone or Google versions of our app in the same way you do now. There are no changes to the service you receive today.

Will my orders still be delivered by Royal Mail?

Yes your orders will continue to be delivered by Royal Mail in the same way as now.

Who do I contact about my prescription order?

There are no changes to way you can contact us.