By Isle of Wight Observer
Four more Jhoots Pharmacies have been taken over by Allied Pharmacies, after serious financial problems at the national group led to staff not being paid for months, and the unscheduled closure of stores.
In a parliamentary debate about the status of the group in October, MPs raised concerns about the behaviour of Jhoots including over its failure to open branches, management of controlled drugs, and not paying staff, landlords and other suppliers.
Former Jhoots branches in East Cowes, Ryde, Sandown and Ventnor have now changed hands, and join the pharmacy at Cowes Medical Centre, which changed hands in November, under the new branding.
However the former Jhoots Pharmacy in Ventnor has been struck off the pharmaceutical list by the NHS in August, after repeated failures to open. The NHS also noted poor patient experience, disruption to medication access, and extra burdens on GP practices. An appeal against the decision failed, despite a full-time pharmacist being recruited from the mainland to work at the store.
The transfer of the pharmacies is part of a national deal which saw Allied take on a further 68 Jhoots’ branches, after 61 changed ownership just weeks ago.
A statement issued by the company said: “Allied Pharmacies has ensured that it is well positioned to deliver reliable, high-quality pharmaceutical services across the country, and to reinforce our connection with the communities we serve.
“We are focused on bringing these pharmacies back to full operational capacity as quickly as possible to safeguard patient care, while also acknowledging the former Jhoots’ employees for their commitment and resilience during this challenging time. We want to assure them that they will receive the same consideration and care as those supported during the earlier acquisition of pharmacies this year.”
Jhoots now has no branches on the Island.
