Retailer London Drugs closes stores in Western Canada due to 'cybersecurity incident'

London Drugs says it has temporarily closed all of its stores in Western Canada as it grapples with a "cybersecurity incident."

The retailer and pharmacy chain says it learned it was the victim of a cybersecurity incident on Sunday, when it first closed its stores "out of an abundance of caution."

The chain says it has no reason to believe customer or employee data has been affected but has sought the help of third-party cybersecurity experts who will assist with containing, remediating and investing the incident.

Despite its Western Canada locations being shut, the chain said pharmacists are still able to help with urgent needs and it advised customers to phone their local store’s pharmacy to make arrangements.

London Drugs does not have a timeline for when closed stores may reopen.

London Drugs, which has been in business since 1945 and sells everything from pharmaceuticals to groceries to electronics, has more than 80 stores across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and B.C.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2024.

The Canadian Press