The new pharmacy owners confirmed the news in a statement today
60 Jhoots Pharmacies to be taken over by Allied Pharmacies (Image: Google Maps)
It is confirmed today (November 7) that a new company will be taking over 60 Jhoots pharmacies across the South West.
Allied Pharmacies has issued a statement confirming that the company is fully committed to reinstating the essential pharmacy services that have been lacking in many communities.
Pharmacy users have been repeatedly frustrated with disruptions to the Jhoots service over recent months with many in the South West and North Devon saying they were being left without vital medication.
Allied Pharmacies issued the following statement: “We are pleased to announce that we have taken over the management of 60 Jhoots Pharmacies. While the majority of these locations are temporarily closed, we are fully committed to reinstating essential pharmacy services.
“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.”
Allied Pharmacies say the transition highlights a problem in the broader pharmacy sector.
“However, this transition highlights the broader challenges facing the community pharmacy sector. While a variety of factors may have contributed to the difficulties at Jhoots Pharmacies, systemic underfunding for almost a decade has placed immense strain on many operators. 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.”
The new owners have thanked dedicated Jhoots employees who have been impacted due to the difficulties.
“We would also like to express our appreciation for the dedicated former Jhoots employees who have been impacted during this difficult period. 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.”
The 60 pharmacies that will be taken over are:
BurntwoodWeymouthBridportMineheadWillitonHighbridgeVictoria Park – BridgewaterTauntonSouth PethertonIlfracombeBrauntonOldhamWernethDerby StreetKinsonRoseviewTruroTorpointNewton AbbotSalcombeTwertonSouthdownCowesHolsworthyCombe MartinWoodaLitchdonTiverton Newport StreetCheltenhamDeepdaleSedberghKnott EndWest Kirby Grange RoadMildenhallArundelBell GreenCoundonRainham BootsWeston SupermarePortisheadPortishead WaitroseFishpondsWeston Supermare Locking RoadAskewGreensideLinthorpeLeominsterProspect houseShawLentonCambridgeRaj Medical CentreStirling StreetMaltonBrayford QuaysThorngumbaldBiltonSutton ParkCottinghamThorley