A PHARMACY is set to close in March, leaving Woodley residents having to get their medicine elsewhere.

The chain of chemists, Lloyds Pharmacy, is set to close their Woodley on Monday, March 9.

This has left those in need of medical supplies are having to go to the next closest Lloyds pharmacy in Sainsbury's, Winnersh.

There are two other pharmacies still available to residents in Woodley - Day Lewis Pharmacy, Hurricane Way, and a Boots chemist on Crockhamwell Road.

One local resident commented on the news of the closure on the pharmacy, saying on Facebook: "I saw that Lloyd's Pharmacy is closing. Another empty unit in Woodley."

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A spokesman for Lloyds pharmacy said: "We can confirm that the Lloyds Pharmacy in Woodley will close to the public at 6.30pm on Monday 9th March.

"This decision has been made because of increasing financial pressures, including business rates and changes to pharmacy funding.

"We fully understand the impact that such changes can have on local communities, especially for people that have been our customers for a long period of time.

"As part of our decision-making process, we have looked at other community pharmacy provision in the area, with a view to mitigating the impact on patients as much as possible.

"We are taking every opportunity to make patients aware of this decision by personally handing them letters in-store and displaying a large poster in the pharmacy window.

"We will also be supporting colleagues throughout this transition and redeploying members of the team, where possible, to other Lloyds Pharmacy locations where vacancies exist."

Rajdeep Gill, cluster manager, said in a letter to residents: "If you are signed up to the repeat prescription or electronic prescription service already, we will be talking to you soon about the move and asking if you would like us to fulfil your prescription at our new pharmacy location to ensure your medication is not interrupted.

"if you are not signed up to the electronic prescription service, which allows your GP to automatically send your prescription to a pharmacy of your choice, please ask us for more information and we can sign you up today. We look forward to seeing you soon."