Scottish independent pharmacy chain Eastwood Pharmacy has expanded its footprint to a seventh pharmacy using a £5.7m funding package.

The Glagow-based chain recently acquired McNish Pharmacy in Caldercruix in Airdrie after securing the funding package from HSBC UK.

All eight existing staff members will be kept on, said Eastwood Pharmacy, adding that it will use some of the funding to provide additional training to pharmacy technicians to undertake final accuracy checks, which it said would “improve the efficiency of the service”.

“This additional training will also mean that more colleagues will be able to assist customers, helping to lower waiting times,” a statement added.

The Eastwood group, which is predominantly focused in Glasgow, North Berwick and Ayrshire, plans to continue its growth across Scotland’s central belt.

Eastwood Pharmacy co-owner Rickey Pooran commented: “A lot of the burden of checking off prescriptions sits on the pharmacists’ shoulders, which can add strain to their workload, with other colleagues unable to help.

“As we take ownership of this pharmacy, we hope that locals will benefit from an enhanced service as we upskill staff to enable them to clinically assess and dispense prescriptions.”

Mr Pooran said the bank had “continually backed our ambitious growth plans,” allowing it to “confidently compete against some of the larger pharmacy companies across Scotland and go in with a strong offer in order to acquire McNish Pharmacy”.  

HSBC UK relationship director Kevin McKenna said: “We are pleased to support such an ambitious business in Scotland. Through its expansion plans, Eastwood Pharmacy has shown that it is keen to carry on growing for years to come.”