By Neil Trainis

Two pharmacies in the same town in Canterbury have closed “due to unforeseen circumstances,” according to the local medical practice, which has left patients seeking answers.

Whitstable Medical Practice said in a post on Facebook on Thursday (July 27) that Estuary View Pharmacy and Seasalter Pharmacy had closed “until further notice” and urged patients who normally collect their medicines from one of those branches to select a new pharmacy.

Whitstable Medical Practice also said “stock issues remain a problem” for Penenden Heath Pharmacy in Maidstone, Ashworths Dispensing Chemist in Ashford, Minster Pharmacy in Sheppey, Cheadles Dispensing Chemist in Whitstable and two other Canterbury branches of Cheadles Chemist in Giles Lane and St Dunstans Street.

The practice maintained its staff was “doing their upmost to assist patients under these exceptionally difficult circumstances” but warned “other local pharmacies, in particular Tesco, will be busier as a result.”

In an earlier Facebook post six days ago (July 25), the practice said patients’ prescriptions needed to be sent to “an alternative pharmacy” because of “unforeseen operational issues.”

Independent Community Pharmacist has contacted E-Nova Healthcare Group, a pharmacy chain based in Kent which runs Estuary View Pharmacy and Seasalter Pharmacy, for comment.