Pharmacies across Bucks have fallen short of healthcare standards, with inspectors describing them as "dirty" and "unsafe".

New data released by the General Pharmaceutical Council has revealed hundreds of pharmacies across the UK who are not meeting industry standards.

While many of those listed have implemented improvement plans since their last inspection, the breadth of required improvements is impressive, as can be seen in the interactive map of inadequate pharmacies across the UK below. 

We've rounded up the worst offendors in Buckinghamshire and highlighted what they're doing to combat the titles of poorest performing pharmacies in the county.

Take a look at the list below.

Jardines Pharmacy, Whitehouse Health Centre, Milton Keynes

An inspection of Jardines Pharmacy in Milton Keynes on February 3, 2023 found that standards had not been met in the principles of governance, staff and services including medicines management. 

The inspector found that team members were undertaking tasks they were not trained for and that medicine management procedures were inadequate. Standards had been met in the security of the premises and equipment and facilities.

Improvement action taken by the pharmacy to improve following the inspection included increased staff training and a new stock management system.

Tesco Instore Pharmacy, Bicester Road, Aylesbury

An inspection of the in-store Tesco Pharmacy in Aylesbury on February 2, 2023 found that it fell short of industry standards on all five principles of governance, staff, premises, services including medicine management and equipment and facilities.

The inspector found that the pharmacy was understaffed, had unsafe premises and could not show that its medicines were being stored safely and effectively.

The pharmacy’s improvement action plan consisted of addressing health and safety risks, holding annual staff performance reviews and implementing regular date checks for expired medicines.

Consult Pharmacy, Tring Road, Aylesbury

An inspection of Consult Pharmacy in Aylesbury on October 10, 2022 found that it fell short of industry standards on the principle of governance due to a lack of effective risk management.

The inspector also found that the pharmacy had mostly outdated procedures in place to guide its workers. It met the required standards for staff, premises, services including medicines management and equipment and facilities.

Improvement action taken by the pharmacy included procedure updates and dissemination among team members.

Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street, Wendover

An inspection of Lloyds Pharmacy in Wendover on March 8, 2023 found that it fell short of industry standards on the principles of governance, premises and services including medicines management.

The inspector found parts of the pharmacy to be “dirty” and at risk of supplying out-of-date prescriptions.

The improvement action plan taken to address regulatory concerns included further staff training, an increase in incident reviews, secure product storage and enhanced date checking to identify expired products.

Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street, Princes Risborough

An inspection of Lloyds Pharmacy in Princes Risborough on May 12, 2022 found it had not met the required standards in governance, staff, premises or services including medicines management.

The inspector found an “extremely unsafe and untidy working environment” with staff under “considerable pressure and stress”. It had met the required standards for appropriate equipment and facilities.

Improvement action taken by the pharmacy included incident and safeguarding training for colleagues, a staffing review, removal of rubbish and deep clean of the facility and implementation of date-checking and temperature monitoring policies.

Excelsior Pharmacy Services, Mill End Road, High Wycombe

In an inspection on February 28, 2023, Excelsior Pharmacy was found to fall short on the principles of governance, services including medicines management and equipment and facilities.

The inspector found that some pharmacists were “not working in accordance with certain aspects of pharmacy law”. It did, however, met the required standards for staffing and premises.

Improvement taken by the services included the relocation of medicine storage facilities, an updated safeguarding policy, staff training and a monthly review process of safety and quality procedures.