Supermarkets

Asda will “endeavour to retain as many pharmacists as possible” while it implements a “new model” – but is no longer offering £1,000 one-time payments to sweeten the deal, C+D has learned.

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) is preparing to support some 80 former Sainsbury’s pharmacists who only received statutory redundancy payments after Lloydspharmacy made them redundant in a four-day employment tribunal.

The supermarket chain has revealed significant cuts to head office roles and new office working requirements amid “challenging” market conditions.

Tesco has announced the launch of a new “dedicated health zone” to expand its pharmacy services such as weight management and provide customers with “easy and convenient” healthcare while they shop.

Pharmacists working at Asda have warned that its new structure poses “very serious” risks to patient safety, as well as creating overly stressful working conditions for staff.

Asda’s full-time salaried pharmacists will work one hour less a week for the same salary, the multiple has told C+D.

Asda pharmacists will be asked to “work compressed contracted hours” and “fewer days” in new “voluntary” contracts, C+D has learned.

A campaign to open a new community pharmacy in Glastonbury has stalled after an appeal against the decision to approve the project, just weeks before the town’s iconic music festival.

The “difficult decision” to close an Asda pharmacy branch comes after “long-term underfunding” and difficulty securing pharmacists, the supermarket has said.  

Former Sainsbury’s workers claiming enhanced redundancy from the Lloydspharmacy estate will have their case heard in March 2025, despite a possible victory offering “no realistic hope” of full compensation.