June 30 Reuters Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc reported a quarterly adjusted profit ahead of analysts39; estimates on Thursday, as demand for its products in UKbased Boots offset a decrease in U.S. pharmacy sales on waning demand for COVID19 vaccinations.

Shares of the secondbiggest U.S. drugstore retailer by store count were down 2 in premarket trading after the company maintained its fullyear profit forecast.

Walgreens had been relying on gains from administering COVID19 vaccines to tide over losses from low prescription volumes and overthecounter sales of health and wellness products in recent quarters due to the pandemic.

The U.S. pharmacy chain on Tuesday abandoned plans to sell Boots, citing lack of adequate thirdparty offers as well as ongoing strong performance in its UK business after putting the unit up for sale in January.

Net income attributable to Walgreens plunged to 289 million, or 33 cents per share, in the third quarter ended May 31, from 1.2 billion, or 1.38 per share, a year earlier.

The company took a charge of 683 million related to its settlement with Florida in May over claims that it had exacerbated the opioid crisis in the state.

Excluding oneoff items, the company39;s earnings for the quarter were 96 cents per share, above consensus analysts39; estimate of 92 cents, as per Refinitiv data.

Samestore sales at its Boots UK retail stores increased 24 from a year earlier, led by higher demand for beauty products.

In the third quarter, it…