Boots UK Ltd.

BRUSSELS--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Alliance Healthcare , a part of global healthcare company AmerisourceBergen and a leading wholesaler of pharmaceutical products in Europe, and GIRP , the European Healthcare Distribution Association, convened policymakers and leaders across the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries today to discuss antimicrobial resistance (AMR), examine current response efforts and explore opportunities to collaborate on initiatives to combat the global public health issue . The inaugural event featured remarks from members of the European Parliament , European Commission and organizations spearheading AMR response efforts, as well as panel discussions led by healthcare and pharmaceutical executives. Panelists and speakers covered a variety of topics, including how public policy can advance response efforts, strategies to increase awareness of AMR, actions healthcare providers are taking to combat resistance, and public-private partnerships to support the development of new antimicrobials. Professor Dame Sally Davies , UK Special Envoy on AMR and member of the UN Global Leaders Group on AMR, delivered a keynote address focused on mobilizing international efforts and driving a global response. AMR, which occurs when a microorganism (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasite) develops the ability to resist the effects of a drug, is a significant global public health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Government and European Commission each have initiated action plans against AMR. “Addressing an issue as complex and far-reaching as AMR requires public-private collaboration and coordination across multiple sectors,” said Gianluigi Tassone, President of Alliance Healthcare . “By hosting this event, we sought to bring together policymakers, leaders across the healthcare supply chain and those at the forefront of international response efforts to discuss current approaches, share best practices and identify opportunities in which we can work together to help address this issue.” “As the EU outlined in its action plan, there is an urgent need for multi-sector collaboration, innovation and policy action to tackle AMR,” said Monika Derecque-Pois, Director General of GIRP. “While this event serves as an important step in bringing together leaders across different industries, it’s equally important we continue these conversations and build on the potential solutions discussed today to help drive meaningful, sustained change.” During the provider-focused panel, leaders from the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation , Standing Committee of European Doctors , European Association of Hospital Pharmacists and Boots UK offered perspective on how healthcare systems across Europe are prepared to manage AMR. The panelists spoke to the actions needed to combat resistance, including infection prevention and control measures, and initiatives underway to educate patients on AMR. For example, Alphega Pharmacy , a pan-European network of independent pharmacists and a part of Alliance Healthcare, launched a campaign to drive awareness of AMR and provide patients with additional counseling and education on proper use of antibiotics. Representatives from the AMR Action Fund , a public-private partnership investing in biotech companies that are developing antibiotics, and BEAM Alliance , a coalition of small and medium-sized biopharma companies in Europe involved in developing products to combat AMR, discussed current industry priorities, including innovative approaches to support the research and development of new antibiotics and sustainable models to improve access to new antibiotics, diagnostics and vaccines globally. “AMR is a silent pandemic. No one player can solve it on their own – it demands a coordinated approach,” said Dame Sally. “By collaborating across sectors and countries, we can innovate to secure the future of modern medicine so that treatments can be used sustainably by all who need them.” About AmerisourceBergen AmerisourceBergen fosters a positive impact on the health of people and communities around the world by advancing the development and delivery of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. As a leading global healthcare company, with a foundation in pharmaceutical distribution and solutions for manufacturers, pharmacies, and providers, we create unparalleled access, efficiency, and reliability for human and animal health. Our more than 43,000 global team members power our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 with more than $200 billion in annual revenue. Learn more at https://amerisourcebergen.com/ . European Healthcare Distribution Association (GIRP) GIRP, the European Healthcare Distribution Association, is the umbrella organisation for full-service healthcare distributors in Europe. It represents the national associations of over 750 pharmaceutical wholesalers serving 34 European countries, as well as major international and pan-European healthcare distribution companies. GIRP members employ over 140,000 people and distribute around 15 billion packs of medicines as well as a wide range of healthcare products per year. As the vital link in healthcare, they are committed to developing and providing innovative and efficient healthcare products and services to improve health and wellbeing of patients across Europe. Learn more at girp.eu .

British pharmacy chain, Boots has partnered with online food delivery company, Deliveroo to enable customers to have products such as makeup, painkillers and vitamins delivered to their door, via a delivery app. Initially, 14 stores across England and Scotland will take part in the pilot, including four in London as well as in Edinburgh and Nottingham. If successful, the chain plans to roll it out in other areas in the coming months. WHY IT MATTERS Through the delivery app, customers will be able to order medicines and painkillers for ailments such as coughs, colds and hay fever for home delivery. The retailer has expressed its focus on products for parents and ill people who cannot easily leave the home. THE LARGER CONTEXT Boots was significantly affected by the pandemic, with the chain slumping to a £258 million loss in the year to the end of August 2020, as revenues fell 11%. However, the chain has seen a continued rise in online sales during successive lockdowns, as sales of beauty products and vitamins have bounced back. During the pandemic, the chain launched a number of digital platforms to enable customers to access their usual pharmacy services. Namely, a video pharmacy consultation service launched for people living with cancer, and a platform aimed to connect patients and pharmacists via LIVI, a shared online appointment and prescribing platform intended to relieve NHS pressure. In October 2020, they began offering in-store COVID-19 testing service with LumiraDx. ON THE RECORD Paula Bobbett, director of boots.com at Boots UK, said: "We are very excited about this new partnership with Deliveroo and have carefully selected over 400 products for its launch to help our customers get the things they need, when they need them. 'It will be super handy for times when you need something urgently but can't leave the house, like if you're feeling unwell or are looking after your kids. "Our online business continues to grow and this partnership offers our customers way to access our products quickly and easily."

Healthmine‘s EVP of Consulting and Professional Services Melissa Smith recently shared her top tips to help plans prepare for the Second Plan Preview of 2022 Star Ratings. Check out the article to learn what to expect between now and when new measures take effect in January 2022. To read more, click here. Seven Bridges this week announced the hire of David J. Ramos to fill the role of Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Ramos is a proven technology executive with an exceptional track record of driving digital transformation, global data initiatives, software engineering and product management leadership while building and mentoring high-performance collaborative teams. He comes to Seven Bridges from CVS Health, where he led the engineering of the company’s HealthCloud platform. “I am excited to step in and lead an impassioned technology organization steeped in both science and innovation. I look forward to bringing my experience and leadership to Seven Bridges and embrace the opportunity to mentor, inspire and grow this group of talented and diverse teams,” said David Ramos, CTO at Seven Bridges. “Most importantly, I want to ensure that Seven Bridges customers continue to have access to our industry-leading, cloud-native, performant, compliant bioinformatics R&D ecosystem that empowers life-saving research and discovery.” To read more, click here. Lemonaid Health, a San Francisco-based online healthcare company, is expanding internationally with the launch of its services in the United Kingdom in partnership with Boots UK. Boots is the U.K.’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer and is part of the WBA (Walgreens Boots Alliance) group. Lemonaid Health operates nationally in the U.S. and provides online doctor visits with free, fast medicine delivery. The move into the U.K. represents the first international market for Lemonaid Health. Lemonaid Health medical professionals have helped hundreds of thousands of patients get access to convenient, high-quality healthcare since its founding more than seven years ago. “We believe the future of healthcare is building long-lasting relationships with patients for a wide range of clinical services and delivering positive clinical outcomes,” said Paul Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Lemonaid Health. “The partnership with Boots UK will enable us to expand our services internationally and help more patients access convenient affordable private healthcare in the coming years.” The Boots Online Doctor services can provide quick access to advice and prescription-only medicine without having to see a GP, through online consultations that can take as little as five minutes to complete. Customers simply visit onlinedoctor.boots.com and select the service they require. After registering, customers complete an online consultation by answering a series of questions – a process that can take between five to 10 minutes on average. Recuro Health, founded by a Teladoc veteran, closed a $15 million Series A financing round led by ARCH Venture Partners, with follow-on support from existing Seed Round-investors OLSF Ventures, Cortado Ventures, 1843 Capital and Sage Venture Partners. To read more, click here. Picture: akindo, Getty Images