By Neil Trainis

Deliveroo has sacked one of its drivers after he filmed himself making fun of a woman who had ordered thrush cream as he delivered it to her. 

In the video, the driver is seen alone opening a Boots pharmacy bag and revealing the cream before speculating about who the medicine is for and why they might need it. 

As the woman approaches him to collect her medicine, he films her. As she takes the product, he asks her: “What is this for anyway?” After she takes the bag and walks away, he begins to laugh and starts to drive off. He filmed the footage in Cambridge and posted it on social media. 

Deliveroo said his behaviour was “completely unacceptable” and sacked him. A company spokesperson said: “We will no longer work with this rider. We have contacted the customer to apologise and offer our support and we are speaking to the platforms to request the video is taken down.”

The video sparked condemnation on Twitter. Regulatory lawyer Andrea James, who advises doctors, pharmacists, paramedics and other professionals, said: “Completely aside from the misogyny, this video raises serious issues for pharmacies working with Deliveroo. The GPhC's position is that ‘maintaining confidentiality is a vital part of the relationship’ between pharmacies/pharmacy professionals and patients.”

Community pharmacist Chris Armstrong urged the General Pharmaceutical Council to look into the incident and said it appeared Boots had broken professional standards by using Deliveroo to deliver medicines to patients.

“It brings all pharmacies into disrepute, including the vast majority who do things professionally and legally,” he said.

A Boots spokesperson told Independent Community Pharmacist it is working with Deliveroo to investigate what happened and ensure it does not happen again.

“We were appalled to learn of this incident. All Boots orders through Deliveroo should be securely sealed shut to ensure the contents remain secure and private,” Boots said.