Walgreens Boots Alliance is reportedly considering a long-overdue move into the Australian retail pharmacy market.

The group registered its trademark in the country at the end of last year and is looking to establish a Boots franchise network according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Boots has been looking to establish itself in Australia for the past century, with the son of founder John Boot even making the voyage to establish the chain, but due to laws restricting pharmacy ownership to pharmacists rather than corporations, the plans came to nothing. The chain reportedly hopes to get over these rules by establishing a new franchise under the Boots brand name or to enter partnerships with an existing wholesaler.