Leeds-based online pharmacy, Pharmacy2U, has entered the care home pharmacy sector with the acquisition of Care Quality Pharmacy, headquartered in Coventry.
Founded in 2013, Care Quality Pharmacy is one of the largest care home pharmacies in England, providing prescription and NHS services to a wide range of independent and national care home groups, extra care services, and domiciliary care agencies. Additional services include paper-based and electronic MAR charts (eMAR), care planning integrations, e-learning as well as face-to-face training and support through compliance visits and audits.
Pharmacy2U is the UK’s largest online pharmacy, and third largest dispenser of prescription medication in England.
The deal follows a number of recent acquisitions for Pharmacy2U, including Lloyds Direct, Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor, The PharmPet Co, and Medicines Management Solutions.
Pharmacy2U was supported through the transaction by law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
Kevin Heath, chief executive of Pharmacy2U said: “Care homes are responsible for an important portion of all prescription medications dispensed in the UK predicated on service quality and reliability, making the market a natural extension for Pharmacy2U; the nation’s third largest dispenser of prescription medication. Pharmacy2U’s 98% medicine stock availability means we’re a reliable pair of hands ready to support the care home pharmacy sector.
“This acquisition is an important step in delivering Pharmacy2U’s growth strategy and is fully aligned with our approach of partnering with high-quality businesses that leverage our scale and core competencies.”
Usman Tahir, managing director at Care Quality Pharmacy, commented: “For over a decade, Care Quality Pharmacy has given care homes and other care providers a trusted partner to manage pharmacy prescriptions and services. With such a broad range of needs, it’s critical that care providers are fully serving the medical needs of their residents.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Pharmacy2U, who from day one have supported our growth ambitions, enabling our team to focus on growing the business and further improving our already high level of service to our existing partners. This marks an important milestone for our business, and I look forward to accelerating our growth even further this year.”
Care Quality Pharmacy’s co-founder and operations director, Huzaifa Hassanali will continue in his current role.
The number of care home patients aged 65 and over in England receiving NHS prescriptions increased from 323,000 to 331,000 last year, according to 2024/25 estimates by the NHS Business Services Authority. These patients received an estimated 42 million prescription items at a drug cost of £410 million in 2024/25, compared to 40 million items costing £396 million the previous year.