Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Chemist4U receives £12 million capital infusion from Pitalia Capital

Skelmersdale-based online pharmacy Chemist4U has secured a £12 million investment from Pitalia Capital, an equity investment company led by Anil Pitalia.

Chemist4U is part of JCCO Healthcare, which also houses the weight management platform myBMI. Anil Pitalia is a health enthusiast, who heads SpaMedica, a company providing cataract surgery to the NHS.


This investment will propel the group's expansion, with John Davies, Managing Partner of Pitalia Capital, joining the board, the company said. Moreover, it will facilitate the extension of services by myBMI in the realm of weight management.

“Our goal is for Chemist4U to emerge as one of the largest NHS dispensing facilities in the country, while also providing vital support to our partners through our rapidly expanding outsourced dispensing services division,” said said James O’Loan, Chief Executive Officer of both Chemist4U and myBMI, who joined Chemist4U as a superintendent pharmacist in 2012 before becoming CEO in 2018.

Meanwhile, Anil Pitalia, Head of Pitalia Capital based in Bolton, cited the compelling growth potential as the driving force behind his investment in Chemist4U's next-day medicine delivery service.

Recently, Chemist4U acquired a 40,000 square-foot property in Skelmersdale to centralize its operations. Over the next 18 months, the company aims to expand its workforce from 120 to 150 employees to adeptly manage the growing influx of monthly orders. Currently, they process approximately 190,000 orders each month.

Chemist4U foresees a turnover increase from £21 million in 2021-22 to an estimated £29 million by the end of September. Founded in 2021, the health technology platform myBMI offers patients access to effective weight loss treatments, and targets a turnover of £10 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

On Sept. 4, Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy, its weight-loss medication, in the UK market. The Danish pharmaceutical company recognized the current shortage of this semaglutide drug and anticipates continued limitations in the near future. Wegovy can be obtained through the NHS and is also accessible for private purchase at UK pharmacies. The pricing for a one-month supply varies, ranging from £73.25 to £175.80, depending on the dosage.

More For You

Sigma Conference: "Pharmacists need greater role in integrated care boards," says CPE representative

Prakash Patel was speaking at a panel discussion at the Sigma Conference

Sigma Conference: "Pharmacists need greater role in integrated care boards," says CPE representative

Pharmacists need to be a part of integrated care boards (ICB) to stop GPs from monopolising services based on their needs rather than the needs of the patient, according to Prakash Patel, Community Pharmacy Engaland (CPE) representative for North London.

“The evolution of the NHS should mean there can be no decision of pharmacy without pharmacist,” Patel told delegates at the Sigma Pharmacy Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Webb
David Webb, NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer
David Webb, NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Sigma Conference: "Community pharmacy ready to make a profound contribution to 10 Year Health Plan," says David Webb

A national community pharmacy prescribing service remains a long-term goal of the government, according to NHS chief pharmaceutical officer, David Webb.

The Labour Party in its election manifesto last year said it would “create a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, granting more pharmacists independent prescribing rights”.

Keep ReadingShow less
New professional liability insurance policy for RPS members launched

The insurance will be provided to members at cost, with no profit made by RPS.

gettyimages

RPS launches professional liability insurance for members

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has launched a new professional liability insurance policy, designed to empower pharmacists to work confidently and deliver high-quality care, knowing they are protected.

Exclusively available to its members, the comprehensive and affordable insurance has been developed in collaboration with global professional services firm Aon.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cargo plane unloading pharmaceuticals at US airport amid tariff concerns and stockpiling

Imports jumped in particular from Ireland, the top drug exporter to the US

Pic credit: iStock

Pharma imports to US surged in March as drugmakers look to avoid tariffs

Pharmaceutical imports to the US surged in March as drugmakers stocked up ahead of potential US tariffs on their products, which have historically been exempt from such fees.

Total imports of pharmaceutical products exceeded $50 billion in the month - the equivalent of 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical imports in 2024, according to data from a U.S. Commerce Department report on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less