Cohens Chemist

Cohens Chemist, a community pharmacy chain with an online arm

Cohens Chemist operates as part of the Cohens Group and describes itself as a well-known name in community pharmacy. The company states it was established in 1980 and presents itself as one of Britain's leading pharmacy chains, with branches throughout the UK. Its online pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) under registration 1103343, and Cohens Chemist is a trading name of Gorgemead Limited, registered in England & Wales No. 1425062.

The organisation reports that 1,300,000 patients receive care from its pharmacists and staff each year, and that it processes 14,000,000 NHS prescriptions annually. It also states that more than one million customers have chosen Cohens Chemist.

NHS repeat prescriptions and the myCohens account

A central part of the service is the management of NHS repeat prescriptions online. Users create a myCohens account, link it to their GP surgery and then track their prescription order. From the same account, a repeat medication request can be sent directly to the GP, and patients can choose between home delivery and collection at a branch (click and collect).

The myCohens account can also be used to book vaccinations, order repeat contraceptives, view previous medication and access health advice. Registration is possible either with an NHS login or with a separate myCohens account; the NHS login is presented as a single set of credentials valid across different health care websites in England.

GP services through the same account

Once a myCohens account is linked to a GP surgery, the platform adds a set of GP-facing functions: booking GP appointments by viewing the doctor's availability, sending and receiving non-urgent messages, and viewing the personal medical record. The site notes that some surgeries may have disabled access to all or part of their medical record or their online appointment diary.

Pharmacy services available in branch

• Flu vaccination: flu jabs are offered at Cohens Chemist branches from October, with online booking for winter appointments.
• Private Weight Loss Service: an in-branch private service based on clinically proven weight loss treatments.
• Pharmacy First: access to NHS treatment for common conditions without seeing a GP, including earache, sinusitis, sore throat, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
• Free blood pressure checks: offered to eligible patients at local branches, aimed at detecting high blood pressure.
• NHS Contraceptive Service: pharmacists can supply oral contraception directly from the pharmacy, both regular supplies of already initiated contraceptives and help with starting them for the first time or after a break; the service is free of charge under the NHS.

Private prescriptions with Treat Discreet

For private medicine, Cohens Chemist works with its partner Treat Discreet. According to the company, this service provides competitive prices, fully discreet packaging, fast tracked delivery within 24 or 48 hours five days a week, and works only with trusted UK prescribers.

Careers and corporate access

The myCohens account also covers corporate services: applying for jobs and accessing the locum portal. At the time of writing this profile, the careers section listed vacancies including Pharmacist (Manager), Dispensing Technician NVQ3, Accuracy Checker, Checking Technician, a Checking Technician role qualified via Qualification 16 plus hours, and Qualified Pharmacy Assistant.

Company information

The registered address is Lynstock House, Lynstock Way, Bolton, BL6 4SA. The site also publishes policies on modern slavery, gender pay gap and UK tax, alongside its terms and conditions and privacy policy.