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“Almost 1,300” remedial and breach notices have been issued to Jhoots pharmacies, pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has said as he confirmed the first of the chain’s branches has been delisted in a recent “test case” and said integrated care boards are working to remove “over 20 more stores” from the pharmaceutical list. 

P3pharmacy has seen a letter sent by Mr Kinnock to all MPs on Tuesday November 11 to update them on how the Government is working to address problems at the chain, which has come under intense criticism for several years over chronic problems at many of its branches. 

This work includes a “rapid analysis of the regulations governing pharmacies,” he said, adding that he will consider any resulting recommendations “as soon as possible” and that “some of the changes may be to primary legislation and would require time to be properly scrutinised by parliament”.  

He said the Department of Health and Social Care “are monitoring the situation closely as it develops” and “coordinating a unified national approach amongst integrated care boards”. 

“As of October 2025, ICBs have issued almost 1,300 remedial and breach notices to Jhoots stores,” Mr Kinnock wrote, explaining that these interventions are aimed at improving performance and “can include withholding remuneration” until businesses address the issues raised.

He also confirmed that the Isle of Wight Jhoots branch that was delisted on October 29 was the first of the company’s stores to be struck off by the NHS, adding: “This was very much a test case as removal of a pharmacy from the pharmaceutical list is a very rare event… issues identified by ICBs are usually rectified and the service brought up to standard."

ICBs across England will learn from the case “to ensure future regulatory action to remove pharmacies is prompt and effective,” he said, adding: “The ICBs have started procedures to remove over 20 more stores from the pharmaceutical list. 

“It would not be appropriate for me to share which stores until the appeals processes are concluded.”

Mr Kinnock also said that while the General Pharmaceutical Council has powers to disqualify the proprietor of a pharmacy business, the use of these powers is “new territory” for the regulator.  

Nonetheless, the GPhC is “considering whether some Jhoots branches have reached the threshold for disqualification,” he revealed. The regulator is currently taking enforcement action against six stores under the Jhoots umbrella.  

Allied Pharmacies acquisition ‘likely the best outcome’

Describing the complexity of the issue, he said: “Jhoots is an umbrella name for 39 limited companies, with approximately 148 pharmacies.”

Not all of these pharmacies or companies are failing, he said, adding: “On 23 October, 22 limited companies (with 62 associated pharmacies) that fall under the Jhoots umbrella filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.” 

“Where administrators decide to sell the pharmacies that are parts of the companies going into administration, NHSE and ICBs will work to facilitate changes of ownership to the new owners so that the stores can continue to or resume support for patients as soon as possible.”

With Allied Pharmacies announcing that it is taking over the management of 60 Jhoots branches, Mr Kinnock said ICBs will undertake checks to ensure that new owners meet all regulatory requirements, adding: “Given the current levels of service, I believe the sale of these stores is likely to deliver the best outcome for patients and be the quickest route to restoring access to pharmaceutical services.”

Wage arrears ‘unacceptable’

The minister said he was engaging with the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC “to draw attention to Jhoots and their practices, including cases of non-payment of staff,” which he described as “unacceptable”.  

He said any pharmacy staff members who have not been paid should seek support from ACAS or their trade union.  

Mr Kinnock said he had also met with the Pharmacists’ Defence Association and written to the PDA “to urge them to do anything they can to support their members, particularly where they have not been paid”.

PDA director Paul Day told P3pharmacy his union is supporting 109 locum pharmacists who are collectively owed more than £1.1m. Some are owed “tens of thousands,” he said, warning that claims above a £10,000 threshold may not be eligible to be heard at the small claims court and those owed larger sums could risk “ending up more out of pocket” if they take the company to court.  

Mr Kinnock said he wishes to “restore public trust in community pharmacy,” concluding: “I trust that the actions that are being taken provide assurance that I am taking this matter extremely seriously. 

“Businesses must be held accountable where standards are not met and patients are let down.  

“I am committed to ensuring that these issues are addressed swiftly and transparently.”