A leading chain of pharmacies on the high street has rescued 60 branches of a competing firm from financial collapse. Allied Pharmacies has assumed control of 60 Jhoots Pharmacies locations, most of which are currently closed. However, Allied has assured the public of its commitment to restoring essential pharmacy services at these sites.
Following this acquisition, Allied will expand its presence to approximately 210 branches across England and Wales, as reported by C+D. Emphasizing the vital role of community pharmacies in public health support, Allied expressed understanding of the impact caused by these closures, especially on vulnerable groups reliant on local healthcare services.
Members of Parliament were informed recently about the apparent closure of some Jhoots pharmacies, raising concerns about communities losing access to healthcare services. Employees also reported payment issues, contributing to the financial challenges faced by the business.
The ownership of Jhoots Pharmacies is divided between brothers Manjit and Sarbjit Jhooty, with approximately 150 locations previously operating in the UK. Manjit Jhooty, who oversees more than 20 branches through Pasab and Jhoots Healthcare, refuted any operational problems within his managed sites. Sarbjit Jhooty, on the other hand, was associated with the remaining 129 branches.
A spokesperson for Manjit Jhooty reassured the BBC that the pharmacies under his management are financially stable and continue to provide essential services to their communities. Sarbjit Jhooty acknowledged workforce challenges and emphasized ongoing efforts to address these issues.
Efforts to obtain comments from Jhoots regarding the situation were made by the Mirror.