CONCERNS over the health of pharmacy services in Holsworthy is to be referred to an inspector after an intervention by Holsworthy Town Council.

It comes amid the ongoing, lengthy closure of Jhoots Pharmacy in the town, leaving residents solely relying on a small pharmacy dispensary operated by Boots within the confines of their doctor’s surgery.

The crisis-hit pharmacy has been closed for the majority of 2025, just months after a move of locations in September 2024 was hailed with promises from the pharmacy that previous issues incurred since their takeover of Lloyds Pharmacy would not occur again.

In response to the council’s concern, the pharmacy regulator said: “I very much appreciate that this situation must be extremely frustrating and unsatisfactory for your residents. It is, however, unfortunately the case that unanticipated closures are often outside of the control of a pharmacy. This is because they happen as a result of matters such as staff sickness, and shortages of pharmacists in a particular area meaning that short-notice cover can be difficult to find.

“In addition, pharmacy opening hours are a matter which relates to whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities under their contract with the NHS. If you feel that the issues in relation to this pharmacy's closure are more than occasional difficulties, you may wish to raise them with NHS England.

“Having considered the issues you have raised with us, it appears that these fall more into the category of how the pharmacy is being operated, rather than the sorts of individual professional issues which would justify a formal fitness to practise investigation.

“Because of this, we have decided to refer the matter to our local Inspector who covers this particular pharmacy. They will assess the risks posed by the issues you have described, and determine what follow-up action may be appropriate.”

Jhoots Pharmacy have been contacted for comment.