Tuesday April 30, 2024 | COLWOOD, BC [Update May 1, 2024: London Drugs stores closed for fourth consecutive day]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In a modern-day combo of cyber-attack and consumer retail, the London Drugs chain of stores — at which pharmacy services are a key component of business — are closed for a third day.
Customers also rely on London Drugs as a sort of local department store with an eclectic range of offerings including computer and tech, housewares, snacks, greeting cards, cosmetics and more.
London Drugs is a large chain with 80 stores across Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba); their head office is in Richmond, BC. Cybersecurity experts have said that companies of any size are vulnerable, depending on how well prepared they have made themselves.
A cybersecurity incident was first discovered on Sunday April 28 and all stores were shut down. The next day — yesterday — customers could make direct arrangements to pick up pharmacy orders by contacting their local store. Later on Monday the phone lines were taken offline. Today Tuesday April 30 the closure of 80 stores continues.
Phone lines are still down today on ‘day 3’. As well: “In the event our investigation determines that personal information was impacted, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with privacy laws.”
London Drugs an update at 8:54 am PDT on their social media feed on X:
Text of the April 30 London Drugs update: “On April 28, 2024, London Drugs discovered that it was the victim of a cybersecurity incident. Out of an abundance of caution, all London Drugs stores will remain temporarily closed across Western Canada until further notice while continuing to provide customers with urgent pharmacy care.
“London Drugs is currently working with leading third-party cybersecurity experts to bring our operations back online in a safe and secure manner. Our investigation is currently assessing the extent to which any data has been compromised in the incident. In the event our investigation determines that personal information was impacted, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with privacy laws.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and support during this difficult time and will continue to provide updates on our operations as appropriate.
“As a necessary part of its internal investigation, London Drugs phone lines have been temporary taken down and will be restored as soon as possible. In the interim, Pharmacy staff are on-site at all London Drugs locations to support customers with urgent pharmacy needs. We advise customers to visit their local store in-person during regular business hours for immediate support and until the phone lines are back in service.”
Part of the retail landscape:
What has become today’s chain of stores across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, started with the first London Drugs store in 1945 as a 1,000-square-foot community drugstore on Main Street in Vancouver.
Today the stores in the London Drugs chain carry a wide range of retail products and services in addition to pharmacy that seem to maintain a down-home ‘shop for the basics’ atmosphere.
===== RELATED:
London Drugs stores unexpectedly closed Sunday April 28 (April 28 & 29, 2024)