Boots Group Plc

The complainant – on behalf of the BBC - has requested information from Boots Group Plc (‘Boots’) about time standards associated with its dispensing services, and how Boots calculates community pharmacy staffing needs and associated costs.  Boots advised that the requested information is exempt from release under section 43(1) (trade secrets) and section 43(2) (commercial interests) of the FOIA.  The Commissioner’s decision is as follows: The disputed information is exempt information under section 43(2) of the FOIA and the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner does not require Boots to take any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.