By Jamie Morris

Copyright bbc

Joanna Smith, of Healthwatch Isle of Wight, said: “People are telling us that the pharmacy hasn’t got enough stock so they can’t get medication they need and other items.

“They’re concerned about the short notice and concerned about lack of pharmacists.”

She said there had been questions raised about the pharmacy chain since it took over Lloyds Pharmacy branches on the island in 2023.

“People are really worried and of course it particularly affects people with young children, people at work, people with mobility problems that don’t find it easy to get to the pharmacy on a day-to-day basis,” she said.

“Nationally there’s an issue with the contracting for pharmacies and the funding, so that needs to be resolved because this is not just an issue on the island, it’s nationwide.”