Christina McKelvie MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse has today written to the Managing Director of Boots calling on the company to scrap their delivery charges to ease the pressure on many vulnerable households during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Boots faced public backlash after first introducing the charges back in September 2019. It can cost customers £5 for delivery of prescriptions with an annual subscription for the year costing an eyewatering £55. Boots offers free delivery for prescriptions ordered online but this is does not help many older scots who do not use the internet.

Christina is particularly concerned that older people and those on lower incomes may face having to choose between risking infection and paying up to £5 for medications to be delivered.

Commenting Christina said:

“At a time when Government are strongly advising older people to limit their social contact it is entirely wrong that they may be forced to choose between exposing themselves to risk of infection or cutting back on essentials.

“More than 500,000 over 60s in Scotland do not use the internet and more than 150,000 older Scottish people live in poverty. This group of people are particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by the Coronavirus and we should all be working together to ensure they are as protected as possible.

“While it has been heart-warming to see the community coming together to provide support for so many different groups who are at risk we want to ensure that the burden placed on volunteers is as light as possible.

“That is why Boots have an opportunity to take real leadership here. By scrapping these charges during this crisis, they can help to ensure that members of Scotland’s older community are not forced to take unnecessary risks and give volunteers the time to focus on other vital tasks.