Jhoots Pharmacies Under Fire as Staff Claim Thousands in Back Pay

Concerns are rising regarding Jhoots Pharmacies, a prominent high street chain with 140 locations across the UK, as employees allege they are owed significant sums in back pay. The Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA) claims that locum pharmacists are collectively owed approximately £670,000 in delayed payments. This situation has intensified scrutiny of the company’s financial practices and its impact on staff members.

Reports indicate that many regular employees have gone weeks without receiving their wages, creating financial distress for those struggling to meet their living expenses. Some locations have reportedly closed abruptly, further complicating the issue for both employees and customers. On the Isle of Wight, residents recently witnessed the closure of four out of five local Jhoots branches. In North Devon, there are claims that certain pharmacies have not received new stock deliveries for up to seven weeks, denying community members access to essential services.

One staff member from North Devon shared their distress with local media, stating, “I am having to sit in a closed empty pharmacy as I have been told if I don’t turn up for work I will be dismissed for breach of contract, even though I haven’t been paid my July wages.” Another employee expressed difficulty in managing household expenses despite working all scheduled shifts. Reports also highlight instances of pharmacies operating without a pharmacist for extended periods, raising concerns about patient care.

The situation has drawn attention from local MP Sadik Al-Hassan, who has described the circumstances as “shocking.” A former pharmacist, Al-Hassan represents North Somerset and is calling for Jhoots to relinquish its NHS contracts. He stated, “In 2023, Jhoots bought another 40-odd pharmacies that were closing. They were allowed to do that despite their history of poor abilities to open their pharmacy or contract compliance.”

Al-Hassan emphasized that the current state of affairs jeopardizes the entire reputation of pharmacy services. He pointed to a specific instance where a pharmacy in Portishead closed its doors the Thursday before the last bank holiday and has not reopened since.

The Labour MP plans to meet with representatives from Jhoots Pharmacies later this month to demand clarity on the situation and has urged the NHS to intervene to ensure patients continue to receive essential medications. As of now, efforts to reach Jhoots Pharmacies for a response have not yielded any comments.

This developing story highlights the financial struggles faced by pharmacy staff and raises questions about the management practices of Jhoots Pharmacies in light of its obligations to employees and communities.