Key Summary
- There have been repeated cases of Jhoots branches closing on some days from various parts of the country.
- Many employees have not been paid salaries for months
- These abrupt closures are forcing patients to travel long distances to procure their essential medications
Jhoots Pharmacy now risks losing its rights to dispense NHS prescriptions following a series of complaints.
Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock told the House of Commons that services at the Walsall-based pharmacy chain, which operates 151 outlets under its brand name, were below the mark.
There have been repeated cases of Jhoots branches closing on some days in various parts of the country.
The main reasons are medicine shortages and non-payment of staff salaries for months.
These abrupt closures are forcing patients to travel long distances to procure their essential medications.
In the House of Commons, West Dorset MP Edward Morello, a Liberal Democrat, had raised the issue.
He said, "Jhoots staff have gone months without pay, despite payslips being issued, tax deductions made and pension contributions not deposited."
Kinnock responded that it is "completely and utterly unacceptable" if Jhoots was not paying its staff.
The minister said both the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and NHS integrated care boards were taking regulatory action against individual pharmacies, which could be struck off.
Several other MPs expressed concerns for Jhoots employees and NHS patients.
Jhoots entered the market in 2023, taking over several outlets of Lloyds Pharmacies.
All Jhoots branches are owned, at least in part, by either Sarbjit or Manjit Jhooty.
The financial mismanagement only relates to the pharmacies under the ownership and operation of Sarbjit Jhooty.
Manjit Jhooty, Director of Jhoots Healthcare Ltd and Pasab Ltd, which owns and operates 21 of the 151 Jhoots Pharmacy stores across the UK, said, “There is no legal, financial, or governance connection between my companies and those operated by Sarbjit Jhooty. We are independent businesses and share only the Jhoots Pharmacy brand name.
“The pharmacies that my businesses operate are all fully solvent, functional and continue to provide important services and professional support to their local communities, and that is not going to change.”
During the recently concluded Pharmacy Show in Birmingham, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chief executive Henry Gregg expressed concern over the closure of various Jhoots Pharmacy branches.
He had said the failure to supply medicines to patients had put pressure on other pharmacists.
In reaction to the Parliament debate, Gregg said, “Jhoots is not a member of the National Pharmacy Association and we are concerned as others are about reports of staff members going without pay and closures without following due process.
"It’s worrying and distressing if any pharmacy faces issues and we are of course anxious that any issues are rapidly sorted out so local people can get the pharmacy service they need.
"Pharmacies are under immense financial pressures due to a legacy of government underfunding but are going to extraordinary lengths, including remortgaging homes or raiding personal savings, to continue to support patients and meet their obligations.
"We have a huge range of support to help our members through these difficult times and help them remain sustainable and focus on serving their communities.
"The GPhC and NHS already have extensive powers available to them if they feel pharmacies are falling short. We should be careful not to add further burdens on the many pharmacies who take their responsibilities very seriously despite the significant financial crisis that they face."
