A pharmacy chain based in Scotland has added to its portfolio with the acquisition of a store in England after securing a seven-figure funding package from HSBC.

Rightdose Pharmacy, which has six pharmacies north of the border and runs an online pharmacy – Rightdose.co.uk – took over Meadows Pharmacy in Liverpool in what is believed to be the first phase of its planned expansion into England.

The group is co-owned by 39-year-old Asim Sarwar whose younger brother is the Scottish labour leader Anas Sarwar. It employs around 80 staff across its pharmacies in Scotland. The deal for Meadows is expected to add another five employees to that number.

Pharmacist Kasim Gulzar, the other co-owner of Rightdose, said: “We’re thrilled to have acquired our first pharmacy in Liverpool which has enabled us to expand the group into England.

“Patient care is at the heart of what we do, and our customers are front and centre of our business model. The combination of our community pharmacies and online offering will ensure the local community is able to easily receive prescriptions and access medicine when required.

“The support from HSBC UK has been crucial in enabling this, and we are excited to embark on the next stage of our development.”