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The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has said Tesco has not confirmed which 10 branches will close this year, leaving pharmacists feeling anxious about possible redundancies and potentially heaping more pressure on other pharmacies.

The pharmacy chain confirmed to Independent Community Pharmacist it had taken “the difficult decision” to close the branches after conducting “a comprehensive review”.

Tesco said the closures will take place “in line with customer demand” but did not say which branches would shut. However, it insisted it will continue to operate its network of over 350 pharmacies in the UK.

The multiple told ICP on February 21 it was supporting staff with the impact of closures. However, six days later on February 27, the PDA said Tesco had "not confirmed which pharmacies will be closing".

The PDA said a lack of detail "may cause some pharmacists to feel anxiety over the future of their role and possible redundancies". ICP has asked Tesco if it has notified its staff about which branches will close.

The PDA said it will support its members “who may be affected” by the closures “so they are aware of, and can exercise, their rights at work”.

Despite Tesco’s assurance that another of its pharmacies is within a five-mile radius of one that will close, the PDA said it was concerned more patients will “migrate to other pharmacies” which will experience extra pressure as a result.

“This could even extend to other pharmacies outside of Tesco’s as patients try to find one that is more suitable and closer to them,” the PDA said.

Insisting “many pharmacists” have told it they are concerned about a lack of resources, the PDA said: “If this is a significant volume (of patients), then surrounding pharmacies will need additional resources, staffing and physical space on the premises to safely cope with the increase in business.

“The PDA recommends pharmacy operators plan ahead from now to ensure they are adequately resourced for any future increase in business due to Tesco closures.”