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A pharmacist who owns six pharmacies in Scotland has set up an online healthcare business that will provide support for people with sensitive health issues.

David Massie, who runs the Glasgow-based chain Eastwood Pharmacy, launched Talo alongside businessman Gavin Bell, who is his brother-in-law. The company will initially provide support for erectile dysfunction sufferers but there are plans to expand its offering.

Patients will complete a five-minute questionnaire about their health which is reviewed by a pharmacist at Eastwood Pharmacy. Subject to that review, the pharmacist will plan the patient’s treatment and delivery of a licensed erectile dysfunction product will be made the next day. 

It is understood Talo will only offer treatments to patients in the UK and the entire process will be carried out online, without a face-to-face consultation or video or phone calls.

Massie said Talo’s procedure was designed to be private because it is “tough” for men to talk about erectile dysfunction face-to-face.

“They are certainly not going to walk into a pharmacy and discuss it over the counter as it can be complex and intrusive,” he said.

“Our online set-up means men across the UK can now take charge of their health with confidence, convenience, and privacy. It’s a lot more comfortable and every enquiry is handled in the strictest of confidence.”

Massie said Talo’s service will give people waiting too long for GP appointments another quick, discreet option. Bell said Talo would “disrupt the traditional GP-to-pharmacy-to-treatment journey by making it quick, easy and enjoyable online”.

“If someone wants a prescription today, they’re still calling at 8am hoping for an appointment, then going to the GP, then heading to a pharmacy,” he said.

“Before they know it, half the day has gone. It’s an experience that hasn’t modernised. Being someone technology-minded, I got motivated to come up with a solution and reached out to my brother-in-law, who runs a number of community pharmacies, and explained that we needed to look at creating an online service.

“It only took a few conversations and we agreed that combining our skillsets to create a more modern and customer-focused service was the way forward.”

Bell added: “Our initial mission is to provide men with a safe space to get the treatments they need in a fast, easy, simple way, without any judgment or stigma, allowing them to live their life more confidently.”