The UK pharmacy that doesn’t actually sell medicine

Brits have been left amazed after stumbling across a pharmacy that offers a very different kind of prescription to the norm.

Book lover Amber-Rose Cooper documented her trip to the establishment, located in London’s bustling Oxford Street. “How had I not heard of this place before? It’s a must for any book lover.”

Amber-Rose continued, noting that the pharmacy can be found above the cosmetics store, Lush. “If you go upstairs you will find a tiny little book shop/cafe – which also dispenses tiny little vials and bottles full of poetry,” she explained in a TikTok video.

Showcasing the shelves, which are very similar in appearance to a traditional pharmacy, Amber-Rose revealed that ‘medication’ can be ‘prescribed’ to cater for a wide range of emotions and occasions. “One of my personal favourites is the ‘Older & Wiser’, which specialises in birthday blues and the dread of old age,” she said as she showed off more ‘treatments’ for ‘Sense of Belonging’ and ‘Existential Angst’.

Amber-Rose added: “I was also very intrigued by this ‘Dithering’ bottle, but I must say my favourite part of the shop was the ‘Poisons’ cabinet as the fantasy reader in me was in my element.” There, further ‘treatments’ included ‘Tortured Poets’ and ‘Shakespearean Curses’, which she admitted she was “very tempted” to take home.

Holding up a bottle of ‘Revenge’, Amber-Rose continued: “I particularly enjoyed reading the back labels, for which ‘Revenge’ stated that it “counteracts betrayal for the satisfaction of deep hurt”.

Amber-Rose closed her guide to the pharmacy by revealing it also sells poetry books, books on writing and other “cute little bookish gifts” and “adorable scratch card poems”. Back on the pharmaceutical theme, she also spotted a series of small boxes containing ‘Poetry First Aid Kits’, which she described as the “perfect gift” for her friends who live far away.

Heading to the till with bottle of ‘Revenge’, Amber-Rose was overjoyed to learn that staff even write a unique prescription note to go with the medication. “I thought it was so much fun,” she gushed as she offered an image of the note which instructed: “Take one pill with a small glass of peach ice tea in the afternoon while you listen to your favourite instrumental music.”

Writing in response, other TikTok users were fascinated by Amber-Rose’s discovery. “I cannot believe I’ve never heard of or seen this place!” one person confessed. “Immediately planning a visit.”

A second added: “Wow how have I not heard of this? It looks incredible.” A third agreed: “Omg this is the best thing I’ve ever seen.” Meanwhile a fourth TikTok user exclaimed: “Oh this is so cool! Back to London I go!”

On its website, The Poetry Pharmacy reveals it has a second branch – its original store in the more rural surroundings of Bishop’s Castle in Shropshire. “The world’s first ever Poetry Pharmacy offering walk-in prescriptions, literary gifts, and books to address your every emotional ailment,” it states.

“Visit our beautiful Victorian shop in the small town of Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire, to browse the bookshop or pause in the Dispensary Café to be prescribed coffees, tisanes, sodas & sherbets to lift the spirits.”

And of the Oxford Street store, it adds: “The Poetry Pharmacy has found a second home on the first floor of Lush’s Oxford Street Spa. It stocks a specially curated range of books and other literary artefacts for the restoration of the self, and has its own Dispensary Coffee House serving coffee from our local roasters Hundred House Coffee and delicious cakes.”