London: The UK’s first drive-through pharmacy has opened for business in the Essex town of Colchesher.

The pharmacy, operated by Boots, says it will fill prescriptions in two minutes while customers wait in their cars.

Boots says it is aiming the service, from a converted MacDonald’s fast-food outlet, at mothers and commuters.

The move is a copy of what happens in the US where drive-through pharmacies are common – there are about 3,000 there.

The drive-through section is attached to a conventional walk-in Boots store selling the usual range of toiletries, cosmetics and snacks.

The drive-through service provides prescription items only throughout the store’s opening hours, 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday. Between 8pm and midnight it also sells over-thecounter medicines.