London Drugs shuts all its stores after cybersecurity incident
Western pharmacy chain say no reason to believe customer data impacted
No customer or employee data is believed to have been accessed in a cyberattack that led London Drugs Ltd. to temporarily shut all of its stores across Western Canada, the company said on Monday.
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The pharmacy chain said it had shut its 80 stores until further notice “out of an abundance of caution” on April 28 following discovery of the cyber incident.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe that customer or employee data has been impacted,” its media relations team said.
The company said it immediately undertook countermeasures to protect its network and data, including retaining leading third-party cybersecurity experts to assist with containment and remediation and to conduct a forensic investigation.
B.C.-based London Drugs employs more than 8,000 people from Manitoba to Vancouver Island.
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London Drugs has experienced an operational issue that has led to stores across Western Canada being closed until further notice.
— London Drugs (@LondonDrugs) April 28, 2024
Pharmacists are standing by to support with urgent pharmacy needs. We advise customers to phone their local store's pharmacy to make arrangements.
It said its pharmacists are standing by to support customers with urgent pharmacy needs. Customers are being advised to call their local store’s pharmacy to make arrangements.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and we want to assure you that this incident is the utmost priority for us at London Drugs,” the chain added.
The online store at londondrugs.com appeared to be fully operational as of Monday afternoon.
The Richmond, B.C.-based chain was founded in 1945 and bought by Vancouver entrepreneur Tong Louie of HY Louie Co. Ltd., in 1976, according to its website. Louie’s son Brandt Louie now steers the family business.
The incident is the latest in a string of cybersecurity incidents to hit Canadian companies over the last two years. Indigo Books & Music Inc., Sobeys’ parent Empire Co. Ltd., Ontario’s LCBO, and more recently, discount retailer Giant Tiger Stores Ltd. have experienced cybersecurity breaches.
• Email: dpaglinawan@postmedia.com
