New research from Britain’s largest online pharmacy, Pharmacy2U, reveals that more Brits than ever before are turning to technology to manage their health, with apps to track fitness, monitor sleep and deliver medicines all soaring throughout the pandemic.

The research found there has been a 25 per cent increase in people using health apps since the first lockdown, with the average person now storing 3 health apps on their smartphone.

Data released by Pharmacy2U reports that there was a 101 per cent increase in its app downloads since March 2020, with almost 350,000 people signing up to get their medicines delivered to their door for free since the first lockdown began. When looking at the number of times the Pharmacy2U app was downloaded in January 2020 compared with April 2020, the number of app downloads per month increased by 214 per cent.

When it comes to looking after general health, the research found that 1 in 5 Brits use fitness tracking apps such as Strava or Nike Run Club, while 1 in 5 Brits also use calorie tracking apps. 19 per cent of those surveyed use a sleep monitoring app, while 17 per cent use a repeat prescription ordering app. 14 per cent of Brits use a mindfulness app to monitor their mental health and reduce anxiety.

A third believe health apps help alleviate strain on the NHS, while almost one in five (19 per cent) say they trust health apps more since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and more than 2 in 5 (42 per cent) say that health apps make their own health easier to manage.

Since the first lockdown this year, Pharmacy2U has helped save over three million trips outdoors by safely dispensing and delivering over eight million medicines directly to people’s doors – helping play its part in reducing the strain on the NHS when it mattered most.

It currently dispenses over 1.1 million medicines to over 575,000 people each month, with industry leading clinical accuracy through its highly automated processes and dispensing facilities. The company recently opened its latest facility, which will give the group the capacity to serve over 6.5 million medicines per month.

Mark Livingstone, CEO Pharmacy2U comments: “Technology has transformed industries from retail to travel and is continuing to make a significant impact on healthcare and personal health management. The last nine months has been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced – the pandemic has led to an all-round greater need for technology, including apps, to meet the change in demand from patients.

“Technology and automation are a key part of our business. Gone are the long waiting times, issues with repeat medication, or language barriers. Instead, technology has meant the process of ordering and receiving medication is more inclusive, sophisticated and consumer friendly.”

To further support patients, Pharmacy2U has developed a New Medicine service offering advice to patients who have been prescribed a new medication, and also recently launched a national drive through flu vaccination service – developed with the NHS following customer feedback and logistically supported by St. John Ambulance.

The Pharmacy2U app, which provides easy ordering, reminders to order your repeat prescription and order tracking is available free on Apple and Android devices.