Pharmacists working in Boots UK have been “reminded” of company guidance around Medicine Use Reviews, following claims in The Guardian this week that the company is driving staff to achieve MUR targets largely for financial gain.

“Our professional standard is clear: services must be for the benefit of patients not the attainment of numerical targets and are fundamental in helping customers make the most of their medicines in managing their conditions effectively. We have today reminded our pharmacists of our existing guidance (previously issued in 2014) as we fully support their professional judgment to assess the appropriateness of a clinical service and these services,” said Boots UK, in a statement.

“Offering the best care to patients is at the heart of everything we do and this includes offering pharmacy services that are relevant to the changing needs of patients and healthcare systems. Our pharmacists are empowered to use their professional judgment to assess the appropriateness of a clinical service, and we make it clear to our colleagues that these services should not be undertaken inappropriately.”

The company defended the role of community pharmacy in offering services such as MURs and it’s own approach.

“Providing accessible healthcare through community pharmacies has always been integral to Boots mission. We believe community pharmacy today plays a vital role in supporting the UK health system and we actively support NHS initiatives such as medicines usage reviews.

The statement also said:

“We don’t recognise the claims in today’s press, which are not representative of the 60,000 colleagues who work for Boots UK and our commitment to developing healthcare further. The health and wellbeing of all our colleagues is, and always has been, a priority for the business.”


“Over the last ten years, our group has continued to significantly re-invest profit right across Boots UK. We are absolutely clear that the drive for strong financial performance has never been to the detriment of our constant priority on pharmacy, and delivering the best healthcare services in the communities we serve.”

Boots dispenses more than 220 million prescriptions every year in the UK, said the company. “We strongly believe that community pharmacy today, more than ever, plays a vital role in supporting the UK health system.”