Alphega Pharmacy has launched an app to help its members offer an online repeat prescription service to their patients.

The Alphega Pharmacy app, which was developed in conjunction with NHS-accredited prescription app Healthera and is available to a network of over 1,000 member pharmacies, is designed to help independents compete in an increasingly digital landscape.

The patient-facing app has features including repeat prescription ordering, a chat function allowing patients to communicate with pharmacies, and booking for NHS and private services.

Other features include prescription tracking and a ‘carer mode’ so family members can manage their relatives’ prescriptions.

Alphega Pharmacy UK head Raj Nutan said: “This is a great opportunity for our members to offer a first class digital experience to their patients.

“The app provides a leading digital customer service offering to really drive retention, cultivate loyalty and grow additional revenue.”

Healthera CEO Quintus Lio said the partnership with Alpehga could help “drive the digital agenda in the field of independent pharmacy”.

Mr Liu claimed the app can help drive revenue through dispensing volume growth as well as offering time savings of “around 105.5 hours per year via Rx orders going through the app rather than on the phone, emails or tokens”.