Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Lloyds closed and sold all its pharmacies in Wales

Lloyds Pharmacy has closed and sold its Welsh branches over "growing pressures" on the pharmacy sector 

Lloyds Pharmacy announced the withdrawal of pharmacy services from all Sainsbury’s stores over mounting "industry pressures" faced by the community pharmacies.


The company had 77 branches at the beginning of this year - out of which five branches closed their doors and transferred the ownership of the remaining 72 to others.

It was announced in June this year that Lloyds Pharmacy branches in Sainsbury's will close its operation throughout 2023.

The following decision came after "changing market conditions" put 2,000 jobs on the line across the UK.

Four Lloyds Pharmacies inside Wales Sainsbury's stores closed within days of the announcement and one in the Roath suburb of Cardiff as well.

The remaining 72 changed hands as confirmed by the figures obtained by WalesOnline on 5 October.

However, Lloyds Pharmacy has not yet updated information on the number of branches closed or the staff impacted by the decision.

The statement released by the pharmacy spokesperson read: "LloydsPharmacy is reviewing its community pharmacy estate and is selectively selling some branches.

"The majority of buyers of these selected branches are independent pharmacy owners and local businesspeople who have demonstrated their commitment to our branch teams and patients and are well-placed to meet the ongoing health needs of the local community.

"The Lloyds Pharmacy team is pleased that its colleagues from these stores will be joining successful, local businesses and that for patients there will be no change in the way they use their local pharmacy," it further read.

The figures obtained by StatsWales on 27 October confirmed that the number came down to 698 community pharmacies in Wales out of 716 - number of pharmacies in 2018-19.

The closure of Lloyds pharmacies indicates a wider issue emerging in the pharmaceutical industry.

The chain is the UK's second-largest after Boots and was acquired by Aurelius, the multinational private equity firm from Sainsbury's last year.

More For You

Independent Prescribing: Government aims to complete pathfinder programme evaluation by autumn 2025

Pharmacist prescribers at 210 ‘pathfinder’ sites were allowed to trial prescribing models within integrated primary care services.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Independent prescribing: Pathfinder programme evaluation to be completed by autumn, says Kinnock

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed that the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme could be completed by Autumn 2025.

Kinnock was responding to a question from James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, who asked what steps the minister was taking to ensure continued support for the Pathfinder Programme and independent prescribing to maximise direct prescribing capacity in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free morning-after pill at pharmacies to end postcode lottery for patients

Pharmacy technicians will be allowed to supply of drospirenone for contraception under PGD,

gettyimages

Pharmacy contract: Free morning-after pill to be available at pharmacies soon

The UK government has announced that, for the first time ever, the ‘morning-after pill’ or emergency contraceptive pill will be available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed a record £3.073 billion funding package for community pharmacies in 2025/26, alongside an additional £215 million to sustain Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal College status: The PDA calls for ‘meaningful and collaborative dialogue’

The profession’s success will depend on collaboration across all sectors, says PDA.

gettyimages

Royal College vote: Less than 7% of GB pharmacists in favour, says PDA

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has criticised the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for moving too quickly to a ballot on its proposed transition to a Royal College, arguing that it resulted in low participation from pharmacists in Great Britain.

Announcing the results of the special resolution vote, the RPS said that the outcome was a “clear mandate” in favour of the transformative change.

Keep ReadingShow less
CPCF negotiations conclude: Funding details expected Monday, says CPE

Community pharmacy funding

CPCF negotiations conclude: Funding details expected Monday, says CPE

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has confirmed the conclusion of Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) negotiations, with funding details for the year ahead expected to be announced on Monday, 31 March.

CPE welcomed the findings of the independent analysis into community pharmacy funding, which played a key role in informing the negotiations.

Keep ReadingShow less
RPS Wales calls for urgent investment in pharmacy workforce at Senedd meeting

Third from the left: Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales

Photo credit: RPS

Invest in pharmacy workforce: RPS Wales urges Senedd members

Members of the Senedd (MSs) were briefed on the increasing pressures facing pharmacy teams and the urgent need for action to support their health and wellbeing at an event hosted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Wales.

The event, held on Wednesday, brought together MSs, including first minister Eluned Morgan, to discuss the findings of RPS’ latest Workforce Wellbeing Survey.

Keep ReadingShow less