THE mayor of Holsworthy has expressed his dismay as one of only two pharmacies in the town has been closed — again.

Patients seeking their prescriptions from Jhoots Pharmacy, located on Stanhope Close in the town, have arrived to discover closed doors with reports that the outlet is ‘closed until further notice’.

The Post understands that the latest closure comes after the resignations of both the locum pharmacist at the branch, in addition to a pharmacist assistant, with the pair departing from their jobs on March 18. Their departures mean that the pharmacy cannot legally prepare or dispense prescribed medication.

It comes just two months after patients found themselves in a similar situation when the now-former locum pharmacist was on annual leave, with no cover put in place.

This development comes as the latest episode in a troubled tenure for Jhoots since it took over the Lloyds Pharmacy outlet in November 2023.

Its move to the current premises, formerly a Lloyds bank branch building, which had been celebrated with an opening ceremony and promises of an improved service to the town had come after a notice of eviction was served on the company by the landlord of its previous premises.

The only other pharmacy in Holsworthy presently is a small outlet of Boots located in the medical centre.

Cllr Nigel Kenneally, the mayor of Holsworthy, expressed his disappointment at the latest closure.

He said: “I'm incredibly disappointed that the locum and pharmacist assistant left on March 18 and that Jhoots is currently closed. Jhoots have broken multiple promises that they made to me when they opened.

“I will be following up with the NHS Devon integrated care board, and try to find out exactly what is going on.”

NHS Devon and Jhoots Pharmacy have both been approached for comment on the situation in Holsworthy.