Pharmacy chain Avicenna has acquired Dudley Taylor Pharmacies Ltd, creating another multiple that operates more than 100 pharmacies (44 Avicenna + 57 Dudley Taylor = 101). In the same week, Well confirmed they had acquired Pharma-Z, a small pharmacy chain based in Norfolk, adding six new pharmacies to its existing 750 pharmacy network.
In cases where an existing business is acquired and absorbed into another, employees will usually find that through no act or decision of their own, they will have a new employer. The company transfers will often also mean new people, processes and other changes impacting their working lives.
However, in circumstances like this, the employees’ contract of employment can also be transferred to the new employer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, also known as “TUPE”. This means that the contract of employment of the individuals transfer to the new employer and effectively the individual should not see any major changes to their working arrangements because of the transfer.
If members are concerned about such changes they should contact the PDA Service Centre. Members can ask us for support before, during and/or after the transfer if needed. It is normally better to contact us as questions or concerns emerge, rather than allow the situation to develop before confirming and exercising your rights at work.
In advance of such situations, we would also encourage any pharmacists that are not yet PDA members to join us