The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7391 p293
11 March 2006

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· SOPs (2)
· Methadone mixture
· Oxygen services (2)
· Assisted dying (3)
· Branded prescribing
· Boots / UniChem merger

Letters to the Editor

Boots / UniChem merger

I do not share others’ apprehensions

From Mr J. Allan, MRPharmS

Dennis Corlass (PJ, 25 February, p232) expressed concerns regarding the proposed Alliance UniChem/Boots The Chemists merger. As a long-standing independent customer of UniChem, I do not share his apprehensions about service to independent pharmacies. This as a merger, not a takeover, and so I would expect Boots to continue to concentrate on its retail offering and UniChem its wholesale operation. I would, therefore, hope that the new company would benefit from combining these strengths and, in turn, that UniChem’s independent customers will benefit from a greater range of services and support.

With regard to product shortage, it would be a foolish company indeed that gave preferential treatment to one group of customers over another. Even post-merger, UniChem’s independent customers would far outnumber the Alliance Boots stores and all of the communications that I have received from UniChem so far have highlighted its ongoing support for independents.

We live in a competitive, commercial world where such changes are to be expected. I would rather be supportive of a group that has a proven commitment on both sides to community pharmacy than be swallowed up by one of the grocery giants. Now that would be a worry.

James Allan
Edinburgh

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