Dispensing chemist

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A dispensing chemist, in British English and (to some extent) Australian English, or druggist in North American English is a pharmacist allowed to fulfil prescriptions.

A dispensing chemist will usually operate from a pharmacy or chemist's shop, usually abbreviated to "the chemist's" in English speaking nations, especially the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The United States and Canada use the term drugstore or pharmacy.

It is possible for a shop to be a general chemist without the ability to fulfil prescriptions, hence the modifier of 'dispensing'. In such cases, only 'Over the Counter' (OTC) drugs and medications may be supplied, as these do not require the services of a licensed pharmacist. Such shops will also usually supply a wide range of health related goods.

[edit] United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the market for dispensing chemists is split between independent retailers and large chains. The best known chain is branded "Boots". Boots was founded in Nottingham, England by John Boot in 1849 and transformed into a national chain by his son Jesse. In July 2006 it merged with another chain of dispensing chemists, Alliance Unichem to form Alliance Boots. Another chain in the UK is Lloydspharmacy.

There were other chains of dispensing chemists in the UK. One well known regional one, covering much of the south of England was Timothy White (later Timothy White & Taylor Ltd), founded in Portsmouth. It was taken over by Boots in 1968. The dominance of the chains in the market was so high that saying "I'm just going to Boots" or "I'm just going to Timothy White's" as dialogue in a novel or play would be immediately understood that one was going to the chemist's, with no further explanation being necessary.