After trialling the concept in London in March, Royal Mail is offering same-day medication and pharmacy deliveries in Yorkshire through the Pharmacy2U Chemist Direct brand.

Thanks to the pandemic there has been a strong growth in customers having their medicines and healthcare products delivered to their home – 39% of whom did so for the first time according to research by Royal Mail. The research says that 22% of UK adults across the UK are likely to order these products online, 59% of whom would like same-day delivery.

As the pilot in Yorkshire takes place, Royal Mail and Pharmacy2U plan to extend their partnership and to improve patient experience.

Mark Livingstone, CEO at Pharmacy2U, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has shifted people’s behaviours drastically and brought forward digital uptake for many. At Pharmacy2U we are doing all we can to remain at the forefront of consumer demand and bringing medicines straight to your front door is part of that. Through this partnership with Royal Mail, we’re hopeful that repeat prescriptions will become even more accessible and it will lead to more people adhering to their doctor’s orders.”

Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, said: “We’re working with Pharmacy2U to deliver medicines on the same day they are ordered and look forward to significantly expanding this service in the future. The last year has reset many of our expectations for delivery and coupled with the convenience of home delivery, no queues and a reduced risk of infection we think this service is just what the doctor ordered.”