A Cwmbran pharmacy has reduced its opening hours for three days and brought in a security guard following a number of incidents towards staff.

Yesterday (Wednesday 21 June) morning at around 10.30am there was a queue of around eight customers outside Lloyds pharmacy in Fairwater Shops but the lights were off and the front door locked. One customer told Cwmbran Life the staff took the names of those people in the queue but were not taking prescriptions off anyone else. Once they were served the shop was shut for the rest of the day.

Cwmbran Life contacted the health board and was told that some temporary changes are in place so the staff can clear the backlog of prescriptions.

A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “Lloyds pharmacy in Fairwater Square, Cwmbran is currently experiencing significant operational difficulties. The staff are working hard to dispense the prescription backlog and we’ve agreed a plan to help them.

“From Wednesday 22nd June to Friday 24th June, the pharmacy will only be open “as normal” between 1pm and 6:30pm. Between 9am and 1pm the staff will be working behind closed doors to clear the prescription backlog. A member of staff will be available at the door to hand out prescriptions or hand back prescription forms, but the pharmacy will not be able to dispense any new prescriptions during this time.

“Due to the levels of aggression expressed towards the staff as a result of service delays, a security guard will now be present at all times to ensure a safe working environment.”