AgeScotland calls on Boots to drop its £5 delivery fee during the Covid-19 outbreak.

A charity is calling on Boots to scrap delivery charges for prescriptions during the coronavirus outbreak.

Age Scotland said older people and those on lower incomes who have health conditions are having to choose between risking infection and paying up to £5 for medications to be delivered.

The charity, which campaigned against the delivery charge when it was introduced last year, now says Boots must waive the fee while the Covid-19 outbreak is ongoing.

It noted that other pharmacies, such as Lloyds, offer free delivery to customers who have difficulty going to collect prescriptions in person. Boots does offer free delivery for prescriptions ordered online, but in Scotland 500,000 people aged over 60 do not use the internet.

Chief executive Brian Sloan said: “Ten of thousands of vulnerable older people will be in a similar situation during this public health crisis. Older people are being advised to limit their social contacts, so it is entirely counterproductive for them to risk infection picking up the essential medication they need.

“There are more than 150,000 older Scottish people living in poverty who simply can’t afford to pay £5 for a home delivery. Many face the difficult choice of cutting back on other essentials or putting themselves at risk by visiting their local pharmacy.

“We’re glad to see that many pharmacies already offer a free delivery service to customers. It’s also heartening to see so many kind-hearted Scottish people offering to help their older neighbours who are stuck at home, but we can’t rely on volunteers to reach everyone.

“We would urge Boots to do the right thing and put the needs of their older, more vulnerable customers first. Now is the time for us all to come together and protect those most at risk in the face of this unprecedented health emergency.”

Boots has been approached for comment.