A PHARMACY in Teignmouth is having to close temporarily due to a national shortage of trained staff.

Lloyds Pharmacy, in Den Road, is being forced to close at times which is causing problems for customers.

The company says the branch has been experiencing a ‘disruption’ to its services due to staff shortages.

A spokesman said its ‘priority was to provide the best possible service and care to our customers and patients’.

However, the company is struggling to recruit new pharmacists.

It says there is a national shortage and the profession is listed on the Home Office’s Shortage Occupation List.

Legally, a pharmacist must be present in the pharmacy for it to open and to give patients their prescriptions.

This means, at times of sickness and absence, when a locum pharmacist can’t be found, the pharmacy would have to close.

A Lloyds spokesman said: ‘We have been working with the local NHS to ensure patients can access emergency pharmacy provisions and are working behind closed doors to manage the workloads.

‘When there is an unexpected closure, it is our policy that colleagues remain at the pharmacy to signpost patients to alternative pharmacies and answer basic queries.

‘We are doing all we can to ensure normal operations are back up and running as soon as possible.

‘We are actively recruiting additional staff, and we are working together with other community pharmacy operators and the NHS to address the sector-wide workforce challenges.

‘We deeply apologise for the impact on the community and appreciate their patience at this time.’