Pharmacy closures hit UK supermarkets

Supermarket giant Tesco has announced the closure of eight of its 100-hour pharmacies in the UK due to low demand.

The affected pharmacies, which have not yet been confirmed by Tesco, will continue to sell generic over-the-counter medicines in the main store. Tesco has said it will help customers move their prescriptions to other nearby pharmacies and will inform those affected ahead of any closures.

The decision to close these pharmacies is part of Tesco's broader plan to remain competitive in a fast-changing market. This includes shutting remaining counters and hot delis, shaking up management and closing in-store pharmacies.

This move follows similar closures by other supermarket pharmacy chains, including LloydsPharmacy, which is closing 237 of its Sainsbury's branches, and Asda, which is closing seven of its 254 in-store pharmacies. LloydsPharmacy has blamed the cuts on "changing market conditions," while Asda has not given a reason for its closures.

Despite the closures, Tesco still operates around 370 pharmacies across the UK, which offer a range of services, including health advice, flu jabs, NHS blood pressure checks, and type 2 diabetes risk assessments. Tesco has stated that its pharmacy staff make up only a small proportion of those affected by its overall plans and that it will work hard to find roles for affected pharmacy staff in nearby branches.

To find your nearest Tesco pharmacy, you can use the locator tool on its website.