Hundreds of pharmacies based in supermarkets will close this week according to reports. All 237 LloydsPharmacy branches located in Sainsbury's will cease operation by the end of business on Tuesday, according to Pharmacy Business magazine.
The closures were originally planned to be phased in over the next year, but have now been brought forward. An earlier announcement blamed "changing market conditions" for the decision, which is thought to put 2,000 jobs on the line across the UK.
It follows a restructuring operation at the firm reports the Mirror, which is the UK's second-largest chain of chemists behind Boots. Multinational private equity firm Aurelius purchased Lloyds Pharmacy from Sainsbury's last year.
A spokesperson from LloydsPharmacy told Pharmacy Business: “In January 2023 LloydsPharmacy announced the withdrawal of pharmacy services from all Sainsbury’s stores, to take place throughout 2023.
"It can now confirm that any remaining branches within the Sainsbury’s estate will close by 13th June 2023. Throughout the process, LloydsPharmacy has been committed to helping patients easily find a suitable alternative provision.
"It has kept patients informed of when services from their specific pharmacy will end so that they can transfer their nominations as needed.”
