Jhoots Pharmacies could lose NHS rights, MPs told

Mr Kinnock replied: "It is completely and utterly unacceptable if a business such as Jhoots is not paying its staff." He said both the General Pharmaceutical Council and NHS integrated care boards were taking regulatory action against individual pharmacies, which could be struck off. Dr Luke Evans, the Shadow Health and Social Care Minister, said: "Across the country, communities have been left without functioning pharmacies - doors locked without notice, patients arriving to find no pharmacist, no prescriptions, no stock." Several other MPs expressed concerns for Jhoots employees and NHS patients. Labour MP Melanie Onn said five staff at a pharmacy in Grimsby had not been paid since July. Another Labour MP, Lizzie Collinge, said people in Sedbergh, Cumbria, faced a 40-minute drive to an alternative chemist. Jhoots entered the market in 2023, taking over a number of Lloyds Pharmacies. All Jhoots branches are owned, at least in part, by either Sarbjit or Manjit Jhooty. Previously, Sarbit Jhooty, who runs 129 of the stores, acknowledged "workforce and recruitment challenges", telling the BBC he was working to address the issues.

Mr Kinnock replied: "It is completely and utterly unacceptable if a business such as Jhoots is not paying its staff."

He said both the General Pharmaceutical Council and NHS integrated care boards were taking regulatory action against individual pharmacies, which could be struck off.

Dr Luke Evans, the Shadow Health and Social Care Minister, said: "Across the country, communities have been left without functioning pharmacies - doors locked without notice, patients arriving to find no pharmacist, no prescriptions, no stock."

Several other MPs expressed concerns for Jhoots employees and NHS patients.

Labour MP Melanie Onn said five staff at a pharmacy in Grimsby had not been paid since July.

Another Labour MP, Lizzie Collinge, said people in Sedbergh, Cumbria, faced a 40-minute drive to an alternative chemist.

Jhoots entered the market in 2023, taking over a number of Lloyds Pharmacies.

All Jhoots branches are owned, at least in part, by either Sarbjit or Manjit Jhooty.

Previously, Sarbit Jhooty, who runs 129 of the stores, acknowledged "workforce and recruitment challenges", telling the BBC he was working to address the issues.