Country’s first drive-thru pharmacy opens in Waterford
The 3,000 sq ft store opened yesterday at Ardkeen in Waterford. Operated by the Mulligan’s group, customers will be able to phone or text in their prescription before picking up their medication at a drive-thru kiosk.
The technology is aimed at reducing waiting times and giving customers greater flexibility.
Other high-tech facilities on offer in the new pharmacy include skin analysis, and 12 jobs have been created in the group as a result of the opening, bringing the total number of employees to 160.
Director of the 58-year-old company, Ronan Mulligan, said they have always strived to innovate and be ahead of the trends.
“This new store is the direction we will be taking for the future, not just from a drive-thru and convenience point of view, but also from a lifestyle shopping experience point of view.”
Mulligan’s now has 17 stores across Waterford, Kilkenny and south Tipperary and was first established by Jim and Sheila Mulligan in 1957 when they opened a pharmacy at George’s St in Waterford City.
Last year marked a first for the company and Tesco Ireland, when Mulligan’s opened two pharmacies on shop floors at Tesco Ballybeg and Tesco Ardkeen in Waterford City.
Mr Mulligan described the drive-thru pharmacy as “revolutionary” in terms of the industry and how consumers engage with it.
“It has always been our business philosophy to evolve and innovate and this step is certainly a first for the pharmacy industry in Ireland, but it is not a new shopping concept to consumers.
“In Ireland and globally people love the convenience aspect of a drive-thru facility and we fully expect this concept to be revolutionary for what might be viewed as a very traditional industry in Ireland.”
He said they have plans to unveil more technology to go in hand with this concept, including a smartphone app and an e-commerce website.
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