MANCHESTER, England, April 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- With the summer holiday season almost upon us, our thoughts will soon be turning to buying those 'essential' holiday extras traditionally found in local high street chemists.

Unfortunately, the prices they charge for things like suntan cream, insect repellent and a hundred other holiday 'essentials' can run away with a small fortune. That's why it's worth considering shopping with online pharmacies like Natcol.com.

On the face of it, all online pharmacies - including the online retailing arms of companies like Boots - should be able to pass on lower prices to consumers because of their lower overheads. That's why it's so surprising that bigger online businesses (like boots.com) are far more expensive than smaller rivals like Natcol.com - in spite of their massive buying power.

Natcol's Managing Director, Riaz Vali, is keen to point out that consumers should shop around for the best online prices:

Large companies obviously have an established reputation and market presence, said Riaz, so customers will tend to visit their websites automatically.

And yet, in so many cases, Natcol are selling identical over-the-counter branded goods at far lower prices. Once customers know about us, they discover that we can provide the same levels of service across the board - and with big savings too!

Summer solutions at lower prices

Summer holidays should be carefree, enjoyable and memorable - and that goes for whether you're on holiday abroad or staying at home in the UK. With lower priced products available from online pharmacies, there's no need to suffer the misery of things like hay fever, insect bites and travel sickness.

Nor should the majority of consumers be priced out of looking good on their holidays. Thanks to companies like Natcol, things like top brand hair and skin care products, suntan creams and weight loss tablets are now within the budgets of most people.

A few price comparisons show how important it is for consumers to shop around. Hay fever tablets, for example, can alleviate the suffering of the two in ten people in the UK who have to endure summer sneezes and snuffles.

For a pack of 21 Zirtek tablets, boots.com is charging GBP7.99, and yet the same product is available from Natcol for GBP6.99. Pharmacy2U charge GBP7.99 and Chemist Direct GBP7.89.

Travel sickness can also create untold misery for millions of people travelling by car, boat, bus or plane. Kwells is a respected brand whose tablets are highly effective in reducing travel sickness symptoms. So why pay GBP2.99 at boots.com - or even GBP2.35 at Pharmacy2U - when Natcol offer the same pack of 12 tablets for just GBP1.88?

We all like to look good - and feel good - on our holidays. Suntan creams probably top the list for achieving that healthy look we all love, as well as providing essential skin protection.

For products as important as this - essential for sunny destinations - why pay more for what are already expensive products? Piz Buin tan intensifier spray (150ml) costs GBP16.63 at boots.com. Natcol are charging GBP14.14 and Chemist Direct GBP15.36.

A big seller for Natcol in 2010 so far has been Alli weight loss tablets. With summer on the way, losing weight for the beach and looking fabulous in revealing summer outfits means the popularity of Alli is sure to continue. Natcol are selling 42 capsules for GBP19.95 compared to GBP32.95 at boots.com - a saving of GBP13.

To find out more about Natcol products and services, visit: http://www.natcol.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS - NATCOL is an abbreviation of National Chemist Online, a UK-based online pharmacy based in Bolton, Greater Manchester. - NATCOL is a fully-functioning pharmacy offering full prescription medicine services. - NATCOL also sells a wide range of over-the-counter drugs, general healthcare products, nutritional supplements and much more. The company currently offers over 70,000 individual products. - NATCOL was founded by Riaz Vali who leads the management team which includes two fully qualified and experienced pharmacists, Richard Neilson and Shahina Mohammed.

For more information about Natcol, contact:

Riaz Vali, HR Healthcare Ltd., 83-89 Blackburn Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 8HF. Tel +44(0)845-500-4999 (24 hours), e-mail: info@natcol.com

Editorial enquiries: Mike Beeson, Buzzwords Ltd., Tel +44(0)1565-654023 e-mail: open@buzzwords.ltd.uk, web: http://www.buzzwords.ltd.uk

SOURCE: Natcol.com

CONTACT: For more information about Natcol, contact: Riaz Vali, HRHealthcare Ltd., 83-89 Blackburn Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 8HF.Tel +44(0)845-500-4999 (24 hours), e-mail: info@natcol.com ; Editorialenquiries: Mike Beeson, Buzzwords Ltd., Tel +44(0)1565-654023, e-mail:open@buzzwords.ltd.uk, web: http://www.buzzwords.ltd.uk