Pharmacy Closure
The recently purpose-built pharmacy at St Leonards Medical Centre in Bexhill Road, operated by national firm Paydens and trading as Warrior Pharmacy, will shortly close. It was serving only as a collection point for patients’ prescription medicines because another local chemist West St Leonards Pharmacy further up the road complained to the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Board (PNAB) that a fully operating pharmacy at the Medical Centre would have an unfair competitive advantage.
CREDIT: Dave Young
Now John McConville, Director of Pharmacy at Paydens, has confirmed that, notwithstanding a petition organised by patients to keep it open, the PNAB “did not identify a need for an NHS pharmacy in the area” and thus refused the necessary dispensing licence. He issued a statement: “We would like to thank all of our customers who have loyally supported Paydens/Warrior Pharmacy over the past couple of years and hope they will continue to visit our pharmacist, Brent, and his team who have moved to Blooms Pharmacy in Bohemia Road, St Leonards.”
The outcome is disappointing for many patients of the Medical Centre, which houses two doctor’s practices in the same building and offers plentiful off-road parking with space and dropped curbs for people with mobility issues, a large waiting area, purpose-built consulting rooms, and full disabled access.
By contrast, West Leonards Pharmacy has limited parking on a very busy road, no disabled or wheelchair access and very limited internal space –customers often queue out onto the pavement in front.
The anti-competitive rationale of the PNAB decision is unclear. A disgruntled patient points out that in the centre of St Leonards there are two dispensing pharmacies 50 metres apart, while in Rye there are two next door to each other.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Oh dear it is a long walk to Blooms ..however it is worth . I stopped going to West st Leonards Pharmacy many years ago even though it was just round the corner at the time and changed to Boots in st Leonards .I was appalled at the attitude of west st Leonards pharmacy having witnessed and experienced unprofessional behaviour . It used to be run by a charming team of chemists who greeted you with a welcoming smile and professional behaviour. I was thrilled when Paydens was opened in Bexhill Road and Brent was always at hand to help . I cannot understand how West st Leonards Pharmacy had the power to close Paydens after such appalling behaviour… What a waste of money when a chemist was at hand for two doctors in the same building . I might add that I prefer to walk or take a bus rather than go to West st Leonards pharmacy . I will support Brent at Blooms .
Yes I totally agree with you. I was a customer of West St Leonards pharmacy for 25 years and was let down so many times with prescriptions not ready,and when I needed them most after life changing surgery the pharmacist said that my prescription for infection control dressings was too expensive for her to buy in so she asked my gp to reissue the prescription to boots pharmacy. She was so rude to me when I telephoned to ask if my prescriptions were ready and she said that if people wouldn’t keep telephoning she would be able to do them. All the best staff left after sue took it over. Always a long wait, just not good enough for us disabled customers or any customer! I Changed to warrior pharmacy when it was at falaise Road and brilliant service 👏 and everything was delivered within 2 days. Can’t believe that Brent and his team couldn’t continue at the medical Centre. Will continue with his team at blooms pharmacy. Absolutely ridiculous especially when you have 2 pharmacies at glyne gap retail park next-door to each other!