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The pressure is mounting on Jhoots Pharmacy over concerns about the performance of its branches after Ian Roome become the third MP in a matter of weeks to demand answers from the company on why it is failing patients.

Roome (pictured), the Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon, said he has written to Jhoots CEO Manjit Jhooty to raise concerns about “a series of unexpected closures, staffing issues and supply chain shortfalls” at pharmacies in his constituency, including Barnstaple, Braunton and Combe Martin.

Roome warned patients were “being left without reliable access to essential medication” and told Jhooty he “urgently” wanted to meet with him and other senior management at Jhoots to discuss the issue. 

Only last month, Independent Community Pharmacist reported Labour MP and cabinet minister Heidi Alexander will hold talks with Jhooty after patients in her constituency Swindon South complained about a Jhoots pharmacy repeatedly closing, failing to have a pharmacist on the premises and not answering calls.

A spokesperson for the Labour MP for North Somerset Sadik-Al Hassan also told ICP he will meet representatives from Jhoots this month after receiving complaints from patients about its service.

Launching a petition today in an attempt to get Jhoots to "urgently address unexpected closures, staffing issues and supply-chain problems", Roome said: “In recent weeks I've been contacted by a number of concerned constituents who've either experienced unexpected closures or found their usual medications unavailable at their local branch of Jhoots pharmacy.

“Customers will be frustrated not to be able to collect routine prescriptions, and if medications are not delivered, frontline staff will be frustrated not to be able to help. I've asked to meet with Jhoots senior management urgently to get some reassurance that these supply chain and staffing issues will be worked out. This is an essential service.”

Roome warned pharmacy “cover” in North Devon was “limited” and transport links made it difficult for patients to access pharmaceutical services in other areas.

Jhoots has consistently failed to respond to questions from journalists about reported failures at its branches.

Image: www.parliament.uk