According to Access Pharmacy Report, Boots own the highest number of dispensing pharmacies in the UK, with a total of 2,436, 17.2 per cent of the overall UK figure of 14,183. The figures from the National Pharmacy Database also show that Lloyds Pharmacy remain in second place (1,590 stores, 11.2 per cent), with Boots owning six per cent more dispensing pharmacies than the company.

Supermarkets remain near the bottom of national multiples; Tesco Store have 374 (2.6 per cent) pharmacies around the UK, while Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, Asda Stores and Wm Morrison Supermarkets all own less than 200.

However, over the last year, regional multiples (10-99 stores) have grown from holding 9.3 per cent to 10 per cent of the market with 1,418 stores. Independent and small group pharmacies (one to nine stores) have the largest share of the market with 41.3 per cent and 5,851 stores.