If you’ve been confused by a letter you’ve received from a company called Pharmacy2U, then you’re not alone.
The organisation has sent an official-looking letter to residents throughout Ruddington, and many patients think it is from the local pharmacy or GP surgery as it appears to be an official NHS letter.
The letter asks recipients to fill out a form, and then promises to deliver prescriptions to a chosen address. However, if you do choose this option, your prescription will go to an internet-based pharmacy in Leeds.
Local pharmacists are keen to stress that the choice is yours as to how you’d like to manage your prescriptions. But they also wish to explain that using this kind of service means you don’t get face-to-face care from a pharmacist, items can get lost in the post, and it can be tricky if you need medication quickly.
The organisation in question has also been fined for selling details of its customers without their knowledge or consent.
Mark Wharrier, pharmacist at Manor Pharmacy in Ruddington says: “If you receive a letter from an internet pharmacy but are happy with the service your local pharmacy provides, and still wish to receive your medicines from them, you don’t need to take any action.
“However, if you have returned your registration form to them but wish to continue to receive your medication from your local pharmacy, please contact them and they can easily put things right for you. Despite the recent cuts to pharmacy funding by the NHS, Manor Pharmacy will continue to provide its current services in Ruddington and is not under threat from closure.”
Kay Garrett