Pitalia Capital backed Skelmersdale-based Chemist4U in a deal worth c£12m, that included the acquisition of a c40,000 sq ft property in Skelmersdale to centralise C4U’s operations with plans to increase its workforce from 120 to 150 in the next 18 months.

Chemist4u is an innovative online pharmacy providing prescription fulfilment for NHS customers, selling retail medicines to private customers and providing partner pharmacy fulfilment services to corporate customers, and is well positioned in a strong and growing market to expand in the UK and internationally, cementing its position as one of the largest digital pharmacies in the UK.

James O'Loan, chief executive of both Chemist4U and myBMI, said: "Our plan is for Chemist4U to become one of the biggest NHS dispensing facilities in the country as well as support partners with our outsourced dispensing services which is our fastest growing division. We are trying to digitalise NHS, over-the-counter and private medicine provisions. When your doctor writes a prescription it will come to us electronically and we can automatically ship it out to you from our warehouse with next day delivery, with the whole journey tracked on the Chemist4U app. It means you can order and receive a prescription without leaving your home simply by using our app.

We already have automation in place. The new premises will allow us to expand the robotics, centralise the dispensing and bring a really efficient process to customers and partners."

Chief operating officer Ricardo Laverty added: "We've had plenty of investor interest but because we were profitable we didn’t feel the need to rush. Anil was assisting us with acquiring the property in Skelmersdale and wanted to get on board as an investor to turbocharge the growth. As soon as I met Anil I really connected with him. He’s a healthcare professional like myself and he has already been hugely successful with SpaMedica."

Anil Pitalia, head of Pitalia, said: "James and Ricardo have done an incredible job and are a very entrepreneurial and innovative team. They've really embraced technology. To be able to get your medication delivered to your doorstep the next day without having to go to another pharmacy is hugely convenient and efficient. We see huge growth potential. In terms of myBMI, they are already leaders in this field and it’s an area where they see they can add a lot of value, particularly on the NHS side when trying to tackle the obesity crisis."

Chemist4U website