Boots has bought digital technology that will allow customers to order their prescriptions online, it has announced.

The pharmacy group now owns health technology company Wiggly-Amps, which has developed software that links patients directly to their medical records for online prescription ordering.

A Boots spokesperson said the technology will ‘empower customers to better manage their healthcare needs in an accessible way’ and speed up the process of ordering prescriptions.

Boots bought the company, which also provides touchscreen patient check-in systems and online consultation software to GP surgeries, on December 24 2018 for an undisclosed sum.

Richard Bradley, pharmacy director at Boots, said the acquisition was ‘just one of the ways’ the group was strengthening the development of its digital healthcare ambitions.

He added: ‘At Boots UK we are always looking for ways to develop the role of community pharmacy and make thing simpler and quicker for our customers and patients.

‘We have a strong history of innovation - responding to meet the evolving needs of our customers, providing new products and services, and supporting our colleagues to deliver these.’

 The agreement is effective immediately and will see the Wiggly-Amp products split into two companies, Engage Health Systems Ltd, which will deliver all the healthcare-focused products, and Little Green Button Ltd, for Wiggly-Amps’ panic alarm system technology. Both are separate entities to Boots and all Wiggly-Amp directors, management team and staff will remain in place.