Crisis-hit North Devon Jhoots pharmacies taken over by national chain

Pharmacy chaos in North Devon and Torridge looks to have been resolved after 60 branches of the troubled Jhoots chain were bought out by another national chain.

Allied Pharmacies said on Friday (November 7) it had taken over the management of 60 branches in the South West.

It follows a catalogue of complaints against previous operator Jhoots Pharmacies which saw staff claiming they had not been paid for three months or longer, unexpected pharmacy closures and lack of prescription supplies due to suppliers allegedly not being paid.

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Locally, Allied is talking over the former Jhoots branches in Ilfracombe, Braunton, Holsworthy, Combe Martin, Bideford and Barnstaple.

The company said while the majority of its new branches were temporarily closed, it was fully committed to reinstating essential pharmacy services.

The North Devon Gazette revealed in September that Jhoots staff had contacted us to say they had not been paid since July, no stores had received new stock for weeks after supplier accounts were suspended and staff were expected to attend work and sit in empty stores with bare shelves, but told they would be dismissed if they didn’t turn up.

In October, several said they had still not been paid and Jhoots ignored repeated requests for comment.

It is hoped the takeover can see the region’s pharmacy services return to normal and Allied Pharmacies has pledged to ‘address outstanding salary arrears’ of staff at the former Jhoots branches.

Above: The Jhoots Pharmacy in Ilfracombe is also among those in North Devon taken over by Allied Pharmacies. Credit: Google Street View

In its statement on Friday, Allied 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 Jhoots chaos played out across the country, with various MPs condemning the Walsall-based business in Parliament for issues with branches in their constituencies.

Speaking in mid October, North Devon MP Ian Roome told the Gazette: “The more I’ve dug into the Jhoots pharmacy crisis, the more disgusted I've become.

“It's totally unacceptable for frontline pharmacy staff to go months without pay, and it's little wonder hundreds of patients tell me the medicines they need are constantly out of stock. The head office operation seems to be a slow-moving car crash.

“The pharmacies regulator can enforce medical standards, but not business ones - we need wholesale reforms of NHS pharmacy contracting, to stop a shambolic company failing local communities like this.”

In its statement, Allied said the transition of ownership ‘highlights the broader challenges facing the community pharmacy sector’.

It added: “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.

“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.”

The name of the administrator for Jhoots does not seem to be available at this time.

Posting on Facebook on Friday, Braunton county councillor Graham Bell, whose ward includes the Caen Street pharmacy that was run by Jhoots, said: “Excellent pharmacy news... After what feels like weeks of banging in doors, meetings and some actual shouting...

“This clearly remains a sensitive and difficult time but this is some very positive news at a very difficult time and at a difficult time of year. I will continue to monitor closely.”