<ul><li>US owner of UK pharmacy chain Boots, Walgreens Boots Alliance, is set to be taken private in a $10bn deal with US private equity firm Sycamore Partners.</li><li>Walgreens' market capitalisation has plummeted by 90% since 2015 and is now valued at $9.3bn, with debt and lease obligations of $30bn.</li><li>The deal will bring an end to Walgreens' 98-year run as a listed company, as it struggled in the internet era and faced competition from online shopping.</li><li>The sale also raises uncertainty for Boots' 50,000 employees, as plans to sell or spin off the UK pharmacy chain are expected.</li></ul>

US owner of UK pharmacy chain Boots to be taken private in $10bn deal

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