Phoenix acquires digital prescription service Co-op Health

Phoenix UK has acquired digital prescription service provider Co-op Health for an undisclosed sum.

Co-op Health is a popular digital prescription service platform used to order medication via an app or over the web for collection at a local pharmacy or for home delivery.

Demand for the app has grown rapidly in recent years and Phoenix will take it to the next level through its Numark and Rowlands network.

Phoenix’s aims to transform the digital platform into a must-have digital asset for Numark members.  “The intention is to create a product that will empower people with choice and help then receive health advice from their local Numark pharmacy when they need it, as well as a highly convenient prescription service,” the company has said in a statement on Friday (March 12).

Jeremy Meader, managing director of Numark, said: “Pharmaceutical care is not simply picking up your prescription or having it delivered at home. People need support and advice when taking medication, particularly if they have multiple medical conditions. That is the critical role which community pharmacy plays as the third pillar in our healthcare system: a pharmacist intervention can quite literally save your life or that of a loved one.

“Digital and physical access need to be two sides of the same coin; each complementing and supplementing the other. Too often we see companies offering digital services which seek to bypass and commercially undermine local community pharmacies: we will offer a market-disruptive alternative: bricks & mortar aligned with digital outreach which combines the convenience of online access for patients with the personal face-to-face professional advice people need as medical conditions are quite often complex.

“Over the coming months - as part of our stated commitment to members to support them in a digital era - we will evolve and rebrand the Co-op Health platform, building on its recent success. We believe this service innovation will help future-proof Numark members by giving their customers access to a digital product that will provide the convenience of online with the personal and profession care of a local community pharmacy. We also plan to spend time with our PSUK members to understand how this solution could work for them as well”.