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Only one in eight online pharmacies in the UK currently offer same-day delivery, according to research from ‘last mile’ delivery firm Gophr.

It describes this as a critical service gap that could impact patients who rely on urgent access to prescription medication, but lack in-person pharmacy access.

As online pharmacy grows beyond supplying repeat medication into more urgent, condition-led care, its role in healthcare delivery may increasingly depend on how quickly, and reliably it can get essential medication into patients’ hands, suggests Gophr.

“Without faster, more dependable delivery options, the sector will struggle to make the leap from convenience provider to critical care enabler.”

Gophr audited 23 online pharmacy providers (based on number of users) and their delivery options, including Pharmacy2U, Chemist4U, and Weldricks Pharmacy.

While same-day delivery was available from a small number of providers, the audit found that such a service is often limited to major urban areas such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

The audit found that 80 per cent of online pharmacies still rely primarily on Royal Mail’s parcel network for fulfilment. Ofcom’s 2024 residential-parcel survey showed that more than a third (35 per cent) of Royal Mail parcel recipients experienced at least one delivery issue in 2024.

The UK’s online pharmacy sector is expanding rapidly, with the top seven platforms dispensing more than 36 million items in 2024 (an 11 per cent increase year-on-year), according to property specialist Christie's 2024 market review. Some of this growth is being driven by surging demand for GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, says Gophr

Graham Smith, the company’s strategic account director, commented: "With the surge in online pharmacy demand, ensuring delivery standards are met has become critical. The lack of same-day delivery options across most UK online pharmacies is a missed opportunity.

“The UK’s online pharmacy sector is at a crossroads. If it’s going to evolve from elective convenience to critical healthcare infrastructure, it needs delivery to match. With chronic condition prescriptions increasingly handled remotely, speed and certainty are no longer optional but essential.”

Gophr describes itself as a same day delivery network, combining the speed and platform features of a rapid delivery app, with the compliance levels and service of a professional courier company.