The UK's first drive-through pharmacies - based in the West Midlands - have been acquired by Co-operative Group Pharmacy.
The two outlets have been bought for an undisclosed sum from Duran Drive-Thru.
Former owners, husband and wife Gurd and Nirmla Chahal, will retain the rights to the drive-through format they developed.
Their pharmacy in Burntwood Road, Norton Canes, near Cannock, was the UK's first drive-through pharmacy when it opened in 1995.
A second branch, in Carters Green, West Bromwich, opened in 2000.
Both outlets will be rebranded to become Co-op Pharmacy branches, and all eight staff will transfer to the Cooperative Group Mark Finn, Cooperative Group Pharmacy's head of opera
tions, said the drive-through format was an innovative way of increasing the accessibility of pharmacy services.
"We are very pleased to have acquired these pharmacies, which as drive-throughs bring a new dimension to our portfolio," he said.
"We are looking forward to building on the services they already offer their local communities, and regard these as an important part of our ambitious programme for development and expansion. If the format is a success we may develop more drive-through Co-op Pharmacies."
Gurd Chahal, who developed the drive-though format, said: "I'm delighted to have reached agreement with Co-operative Group Pharmacy, and I know these branches will continue to be in safe hands."
