The multiple's decision to close the affected instore pharmacies comes from a “need to adapt to a changing market environment,” a spokesperson told C+D yesterday (November 4).

Boots did not disclose the locations of the stores that will stop offering pharmacy services “in the coming months”.

However, C+D understands that pharmacy staff working at the affected branches will be notified by management in due course.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) published a statement yesterday extending its support to PDA members who will be affected by the closures, which the union claimed were down to “business reasons”.

The union was notified of the upcoming closures in advance, PDA director Paul Day told C+D yesterday, so it could prepare to support its members.

Alternative roles offered “wherever possible”

“We will offer pharmacy team members alternative roles at Boots wherever possible,” the Boots spokesperson added.

Many of the stores ceasing pharmacy operations “are close to other Boots stores that offer pharmacy provision”, they said, adding that "almost 20" new stores had been added to the multiple's portfolio since 2020. 

On its website, the PDA advised its affected members on what to do should alternative employment not be offered to them within Boots. 

C+D reported in April that Boots had completed 174 of its planned 200 closures in response to “difficult market conditions in the UK”.