Boots controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Boots recalls more than 30 products due to contamination
Recall announced
Boots recalled more than 30 products, including pregnancy vitamins, after contamination with 2-chloroethanol was identified. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said consumption did not pose an acute health risk, but continued consumption over a long period could increase risk.
Source excerpt
The recall notice has been issued due to the presence of 2-chloroethanol, a recognised reaction product of the pesticide ethylene oxide.
According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, however there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption over a long period of time.
Health and beauty retailer, Boots, has recalled over 30 products including pregnancy vitamins due to contamination.
2021
Boots recalls multivitamins over packaging error
Recall announced
Boots recalled multivitamin supplements that were incorrectly packaged: vitamin K was absent and iron had been added instead. The recall affects products sold from January 12 to 19, 2021.
Company response
Recall — Boots
Boots are recalling multivitamin supplements because they were incorrectly packaged.
Source excerpt
Boots are recalling multivitamin supplements because they were incorrectly packaged. As a result, vitamin K is not present in the supplement and iron has been incorrectly added instead.
2019
Boots among retailers recalling products after food safety alerts
Recall announced
In September 2019, Asda, Boots and Waitrose recalled products following alerts issued by the Food Standards Agency. The source reporting the recalls does not identify the specific products involved, nor does it provide further details about the associated health risks. The event is recorded as a product recall by the three retailers in response to the agency's alerts, with no additional information available on the scope, cause, or outcome of the recalls.
Asda, Boots and Waitrose recalled products after the Food Standards Agency issued alerts. The source does not identify the products or provide further details about the health risks.
Source excerpt
ASDA, Boots and Waitrose have all recalled products after alerts were issued by the Food Standards Agency.
2018
Concerns over NHS product pricing
Media investigations reported very high prices charged to the NHS for certain products, including moisturiser and medicinal mouthwash. Boots rejected the characterization as overcharging and attributed the figures to bespoke orders, short notice and supply arrangements involving Alliance Healthcare.
2018
Dispensing safety and staffing concerns
A BBC investigation discussed dispensing errors, patient deaths and accounts from whistleblowers who alleged inadequate staffing. A later coroner’s inquest found that a 2016 dispensing error contributed to the death of a patient.
2017
Emergency-contraception pricing dispute
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service criticised Boots for charging substantially more than cost for emergency contraception and initially declining to adopt a cheaper option. Campaigners also objected to the company’s explanation that it received complaints from people opposed to the medicine.
2016
Pharmacy targets and workplace pressure
Pharmacists and professional representatives alleged that Boots’ performance targets, medicine-use-review expectations and staffing levels placed pressure on staff and could conflict with professional duties. The controversy was followed by the departure of UK operations director Simon Roberts.
2009
Sale of homeopathic products
A Boots superintendent pharmacist told a parliamentary science committee that the company had no evidence that its homeopathic products were effective, while continuing to sell them on the basis of consumer choice. The position attracted criticism and public protest.