A grant for small businesses has enabled the installation of a 24/7 prescription collection point at Lunts pharmacy in Ludlow.

Run by MSN Pharmacy Group, it is the first 24/7 collection point for the company and the company believes it is “among the first… introduced within a community pharmacy setting in Shropshire”.

The prescription dispenser “allows patients to securely collect their prescriptions at any time of the day or night”, according to Shropshire council who announced the opening of the new collection point on June 16.

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It will be open this week, with the council saying the increased accessibility to medicines will benefit “those working irregular hours, people with caring responsibilities, and individuals living in rural areas”.

And the council said it will improve “access to healthcare services for residents while demonstrating how targeted funding can help drive innovation in Shropshire”.

It is acting as a pilot “with the potential for a wider rollout across the pharmacy group’s network if successful”.

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The funding was part of a total of £15m awarded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022 to support local projects to Shropshire Council.

The council also received "additional funding” for 2025 to 2026 to “continue delivery”, with the funding being “designed to promote business growth, strengthen communities and enhance local services across the county”.

The Small Equipment Grant Scheme “supported 112 Shropshire businesses” between 2023 and 2026.

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MSN Pharmacy Group founder and co-chief executive Ravi Nagra said “the introduction of this 24/7 collection point gives patients greater flexibility and convenience, allowing them to collect their medication when it suits them rather than being restricted by traditional opening hours”.

“We are extremely grateful for the support provided through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Shropshire Council, which helped make this project possible,” he added.

Shropshire council deputy leader and cabinet member for transformation and economic growth Alex Wagner said it was an “excellent example of how targeted investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has supported local businesses to innovate, while delivering tangible benefits for our communities”.

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He also said the scheme was “strengthening local services” and “improving accessibility for residents” especially in “rural areas”.

It comes after the Welsh government announced in October that pharmacies could earn an incentive grant of up to £1,800 over six months by completing elements of their winter campaign.

This included “fully implementing the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sore throat pathways” as well as displaying a “Help Us Help You – CAS Winter Campaign” poster.

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And it follows Junction pharmacy in Brixton introducing in August an automated robot to dispense medicines.

NHS England (NHSE) and NHS London posted a video of the robot in action, and said it showed the body was “already making strides to deliver the 10 Year Health Plan” - which detailed that they would “modernise” pharmacies with the use of robotics.