Jhoots Pharmacy Employees Experience Wage Delays and Operational Challenges, Leading to Union Involvement.
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The ongoing crisis at Jhoots, a pharmacy chain with 153 outlets across the UK, has raised concerns among employees and union representatives. This includes six locations in Wales, where staff members report significant issues such as delayed salaries, inadequate inventory, and unexpected branch closures.
In light of these developments, the Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA) has called for immediate intervention from the Welsh Government, urging Health Secretary Jeremy Miles to address the situation.
The PDA reports that freelance pharmacists are owed approximately £670,000 in unpaid fees by Jhoots.
This situation reflects a troubling trend where pharmacy owners evade accountability for their business practices. The PDA emphasizes that it is unacceptable for these businesses to continue receiving taxpayer funding while failing to provide essential services under the NHS framework.
Urgent call for accountability
The PDA has stressed the need for regulatory measures to hold pharmacy owners accountable. They have urged the Welsh Government to take decisive action against those deemed unfit to provide NHS services, stating, “We call on Jeremy Miles and the Welsh Government to ensure that such owners are held accountable for their actions.” This reflects broader concerns regarding the operational standards of pharmacy businesses and the impact of their mismanagement.
Current state of Jhoots pharmacies
Jhoots pharmacies are partially owned by Sarbjit and Manjit Jhooty, with Sarbjit overseeing the Welsh branches alongside Nilam Patel. Manjit Jhooty has publicly acknowledged the gravity of the issues, asserting the importance of accurate information from responsible directors. However, WalesOnline has yet to receive a response from Sarbjit Jhooty after reaching out for clarification three days ago.
Employees at Welsh outlets have expressed frustration, reporting they are awaiting unpaid wages for two months. One employee stated, “We have just completed our 11th week of inactivity due to the absence of stock deliveries over the past eight weeks, along with no pharmacist available for five weeks.” This highlights the operational paralysis affecting many Jhoots pharmacies.
Impact on patient care
The ongoing situation has serious implications for patient care. An employee explained, “While we can still sell items off the shelves, we are unable to dispense medications without a pharmacist. This has caused significant stress for local pharmacies, already overwhelmed with our patient load.”
Community repercussions
In Caerphilly, one branch has reportedly remained closed for several weeks, increasing pressure on the remaining pharmacies in the area. Another staff member noted their pharmacy previously managed 10,000 prescriptions monthly from a local GP surgery but has been unable to fulfill these without a pharmacist on site. Vulnerable patients who relied on the pharmacy for timely medication are now struggling to find alternative providers.
Despite raising concerns with HR, employees have received little guidance on resolving these issues. One employee lamented, “We are at risk of being labeled as engaging in gross misconduct if we do not attend work, yet the company has failed to pay our wages on time. Our morale is plummeting.”
Regulatory oversight and future implications
The General Pharmaceutical Council has confirmed it has initiated enforcement actions at five Jhoots locations since January 2025, with ongoing investigations into the pharmacy professionals employed by the chain. Sarbjit Jhooty has responded to inquiries regarding challenges in the south-west of England, attributing them to “workforce and recruitment issues,” and indicating a commitment to rectify the situation.
If any Welsh health boards choose to take action against a Jhoots pharmacy, they have options including implementing performance-related sanctions or appointing a new contractor, according to the Welsh Government. Meanwhile, Manjit Jhooty asserts that his branches outside Wales continue to operate effectively, providing services to their communities.
