A ‘quantity of controlled drugs’ have been reported stolen from a pharmacy in South Devon, after a break-in during the early hours of the morning.

Police were called at around 1.25 am to the Well Pharmacy branch in Churchill Court, Brixham, on Wednesday 19 June.

The burglars caused damage and gained entry to the pharmacy, before a male suspect left with a quantity of controlled drugs, according to reports received by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Police later received another call-out to a supermarket at Borough Close, Paignton, around five miles away from the pharmacy, where three males were believed ‘to have entered the store and taken cigarettes and alcohol before leaving the scene’.

South Devon detectives have launched an investigation into the stolen drugs and supermarket theft and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

The Pharmacist understands that no arrests have been made as yet.

Earlier this year, two pharmacists received suspended prison sentences after pleading guilty to supplying Class C drugs.

And recent discussion about the ‘facilitated self-selection’ of P medicines in pharmacies has raised concerns around access to drugs that might be liable to abuse or misuse, particularly vulnerable to shoplifting or theft, or otherwise problematic.