The JHoots Pharmacy in West Allington, Bridport has been closed since August but could soon reopen under new management.
It comes after it was announced Allied Pharmacies have taken over a total of 60 Jhoots sites across the country – including those in Bridport and Weymouth – but the closed Lyme Regis pharmacy is not on the list of newly acquired sites.
The news will be welcomed after months of uncertainty which saw patients unable to pick up prescriptions and staff left unpaid.
Allied Pharmacies said that it is ‘fully committed’ to reinstating essential pharmacy services across its new portfolio many of which have been closed.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “We recognise the fundamental role that community pharmacies play in supporting public health and wellbeing and understand the disruption caused by these closures, particularly for vulnerable groups who depend on local access to vital healthcare services. Our immediate priority is to resume pharmaceutical services as soon as possible for these sites.”
The pharmacy provider has highlighted ‘broader challenges facing the community pharmacy sector’ and that ‘a variety of factors’ may have contributed to the difficulties at Jhoots Pharmacies, but systemic underfunding for almost a decade has placed immense strain on many operators.
Allied Pharmacies added: “Without meaningful intervention at a national level, the collapse of other significant providers – as seen previously with Lloyds, and now Jhoots – could continue to affect patient care and the viability of community pharmacies nationwide.”
A fundraiser has also been set up to help support staff affected by unpaid wages which has raised £500 so far.
Allied Pharmacies has confirmed it will be sorting any unpaid wages moving forward.
The pharmacy provider continued: “We would also like to express our appreciation for the dedicated former Jhoots employees who have been impacted during this difficult period. T
“Their commitment has not gone unnoticed. Allied Pharmacies will be taking steps to address outstanding salary arrears of employed staff as part of our efforts to support the workforce and rebuild trust.
“We would also encourage Locum Pharmacist contractors who have worked with any of these branches, to contact the Jhoots administrators.
“Allied Pharmacies remains focused in our mission to deliver exceptional pharmaceutical care, and we look forward to strengthening our connection with each community we serve.”
West Dorset MP Edward Morello has previously called for an investigation into the collapse of Jhoots.
Mr Morello addressed the issue along with Richard Foord, MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, by writing a letter to Stephen Kinnock MP, the Minister of State for Care Department of Health and Social Care.
It remains unclear what will become of the site in Lyme Regis which has not been included as part of this announcement.