In Business news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Labour MP Sadik Al-Hassan has approached NHS England about potentially removing the pharmacy contract from a branch of Jhoots Pharmacy in his constituency after a “completely unacceptable” closure.

The MP for North Somerset, himself a pharmacist, posted a video on social media last night (September 10) outside a shuttered branch of Jhoots Pharmacy in Portishead, commenting that he was “extremely disappointed” the branch had “closed unexpectedly and without warning”.

“It’s completely unacceptable for the pharmacy to close with no notice and cease operations,” said Mr Al-Hassan, adding: “This is not the kind of work I’d expect from a pharmacy who cares for its patients.”

“I’ll be raising this with the CEO,” he said as he shared an online form for his constituents to share their experiences of using Jhoots Pharmacy “having received many negative reports”. 

Mr Al-Hassan and Labour cabinet minister Heidi Alexander both raised serious concerns around the chain’s long history of poor performance in August, with both politicians requesting urgent meetings with Jhoots CEO Manjit Jhooty. 

Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon subsequently revealed he had written to Manjit Jhooty regarding “a series of unexpected closures, staffing issues and supply chain shortfalls” at pharmacies in his constituency, including Barnstaple, Braunton and Combe Martin.

A similar pattern has been repeated across England, with numerous local newspapers revealing how patients have been left without their medicines due to unexpected closures, while staff at some Jhoots branches report that they are still waiting for their July wages.   

On August 15, staff at a branch of Jhoots in Abingdon, Oxford, walked out after they were left without a manager for 10 weeks.

And in February this year, P3pharmacy revealed that locum pharmacists were awaiting long-overdue payments from the chain, including one who at that time had still not received payment for shifts completed in October. 

Commenting under Mr Al-Hassan’s Linkedin post, numerous pharmacists shared their own experiences with one writing: “The Jhoots at Locking Road, Weston Super Mare has been without a Pharmacist for 6+ weeks." 

Another wrote: “This practice appears widespread with this company and at the same time, staff have been withheld wages for months whilst the company continues buying further branches on credit. This warrants a formal inquiry.”

Jhoots Pharmacy has been approached for comment.