The high street pharmacy chain said failure to take action means ‘delivery can’t be guaranteed before Christmas’
13:05, 16 Dec 2025Updated 14:58, 16 Dec 2025
Boots the chemist has issued a warning over prescriptions before Christmas 2025(Image: Getty)
Boots today issued customers with a 24-hour warning and told them if they fail to take action delivery can’t be guaranteed before Christmas. The high street pharmacy chain said anyone who gets repeat prescriptions needs to get then in by tomorrow.
The chain said: “Boots is urging customers to order repeat prescriptions by tomorrow (17 December) to guarantee delivery before Christmas – especially if you’re travelling or your GP surgery will be closed during the festive bank holidays.
“With GP surgeries shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, over 750 Boots pharmacies will remain open to provide medicines, healthcare advice and access to services including the NHS Pharmacy First Service.”
Selected Boots pharmacies will be open on one or more of the festive bank holidays, so that patients can access medicines, valuable healthcare advice and a breadth of pharmacy services. Customers can check the opening times of their nearest Boots pharmacy on boots.com.
Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “If you’re feeling under the weather or need access to healthcare over the festive holiday, our pharmacy teams are on hand to help. It’s quick and easy to get advice, diagnosis and treatment for common minor ailments from your Boots pharmacy team right on your local high street, with no appointment needed.
“If you are on repeat prescriptions, it’s important to ensure that you have ordered your medication before the Christmas break. It’s easy to order and track delivery of prescriptions with Boots PrescriptionsPlus – just make sure you get your order in before 17 December to ensure you get your medicines in time for the festive period, especially if you are travelling.”
Key healthcare services to help customers over the festive period available at Boots include:
PrescriptionsPlus provides customers with a convenient way to access and manage NHS repeat prescriptions. With the week before Christmas being typically one of the busiest weeks for dispensing, Boots encourages people to order their repeat prescriptions as early as possible and by 17 December at the latest to help ensure they arrive before Christmas.
By signing up to PrescriptionsPlus, customers can also access free home delivery in England and a tracking system that allows them to see the status of their prescription order at every stage of its journey alongside text message updates. Customers can easily sign up via boots.com.
NHS Pharmacy First Service
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service, Boots pharmacies in England can also offer patients access to advice and prescription treatment for seven common conditions including sinusitis, sore throats, insect bites, earache in children, impetigo and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.
Access to over-the-counter medication and healthcare advice
Boots delivers over 180 healthcare services, both privately and on behalf of the NHS. There are also over 700 healthcare brands available in store and online, including symptom relief for seasonal illnesses including flu and common colds. Boots customers can also get healthcare products delivered directly to their home via boots.com on-demand, with home delivery available via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.
Boots Online Doctor
Boots Online Doctor provides access to advice and support, without the need for a GP appointment, for a range of healthcare services such as women’s health, sexual health and general health. Its clinical and customer service teams are available to provide patient care throughout the festive period, excluding Christmas Day and with a reduced service on New Year’s Day.