Boots remains tight-lipped on P-med self-selection

Boots has remained tight-lipped over its stance on P medicines self-selection, declining to confirm whether it will make the move in its stores.

The multiple told C+D yesterday that any decision it made would have "patient care and safety at its core" (December 11).

But it did not reveal whether its research into patient views on self-selection, which began at the beginning of the year and has concluded, had uncovered support for the move. In February, Boots superintendent Steve Banks said the results of the research would inform the multiple's decision.

Boots suggested it had not ruled out moving towards open display in some of its branches.

Boots says patient care and safety will be at the heart of any decision it makes about self-selection	More on P medicine self-selection Self-selection could enhance engagement with consumers – Lloyds Co-op considers self-selection branch-by-branch P-med self-selection plans 'incredibly naïve'
	"Pharmacy is ideally positioned to ensure patients get the correct product for their needs with the advice and support of trained healthcare professionals," said a Boots UK spokesperson. "Our patients tell us they want their pharmacist to play an active role in empowering them to feel in control of their own health."

In September last year, Alliance Boots' healthcare public affairs director Tricia Kennerley said the multiple was "cautiously positive" about self-selection.

Earlier this month, the Co-operative Pharmacy said it would consider the move on a branch-by-branch basis and, last week, Lloydspharmacy said self-selection could enhance engagement with consumers.