The PDA (Pharmacists’ Defence Association)

Latest News

• Independent voice at work another step closer for pharmacists at Boots

  Fri 17th August 2018 PDA Union

  The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) have formally accepted the application by the PDA Union to be recognised by Boots. This is the latest development in a lengthy process to secure negotiations over pay, hours and working conditions on behalf of pharmacists. The legal process continues.  

• PDA respond to the GPhC’s Consultation on Developing its Approach to Regulating Registered Pharmacies

  Wed 15th August 2018 The PDA

  The GPhC have recently consulted on developing an approach to regulating registered pharmacies. This would include publishing inspection reports for the first time. 

• Boots Employees Vote For Macmillan To Receive A £3,308 Charity Donation

  Mon 13th August 2018 PDA Union

  After promising to give £1 to charity for each Boots pharmacist and pre-registration graduate who voted in the recent derecognition ballot, last week the PDA Union donated £3,308 to Macmillan Cancer support, which was selected by voters as their preferred charity to receive the donation. 

• PDA members are encouraged to respond to the GPhC’s consultation on regulating registered pharmacies

  Tue 31st July 2018 The PDA

  PDA members have until 9th August to respond to the GPhC’s consultation on developing their approach to regulating pharmacies. This would include publishing inspection reports for the first time. 

• The GPhC identified major patient safety concerns in 667 pharmacy inspections

  Fri 27th July 2018 The PDA

  New findings show that whilst carrying out routine inspections, the GPhC issued 667 ‘poor’ ratings in pharmacies across Great Britain.  

The Role of Pharmacy Technicians

Wider than Medicines

Safer Pharmacies Charter

Latest Consultations

• PDA respond to the GPhC’s Consultation on Developing its Approach to Regulating Registered Pharmacies

  Wed 15th August 2018 The PDA

  The GPhC have recently consulted on developing an approach to regulating registered pharmacies. This would include publishing inspection reports for the first time. 

• PDA respond to Future of NHS Patient Safety Investigations Consultation

  Wed 20th June 2018 The PDA

  The PDA responded to an NHS Improvement consultation on revisions to its Serious Incident Framework (2015). It said it was “encouraged to read the overall approach to patient safety outlined in the consultation document… The focus on systems issues, rather than apportioning blame to the individual for a human error, was not only refreshing but would underpin a safer future for NHS patients.” 

• PDA express concerns about the GPhC deregulation of independent prescriber training

  Fri 8th June 2018 The PDA

  The PDA has taken issue with the GPhC’s proposals for pharmacist independent prescriber training, which includes the removal of the two-year-experience safety net, the absence of a syllabus and seemingly the intention to allow pharmacy technicians to design and deliver training courses. 

Latest Publications

• Insight Online – July 2018

  Tue 24th July 2018 The PDA

  Welcome to the latest issue of Insight Online. This regular mailing will keep you updated on PDA news and events, as well as issues that affected you at work. 

• Insight Online – June 2018

  Fri 22nd June 2018 The PDA

  Welcome to the first edition of Insight Online. This regular mailing will keep you updated on PDA news and events, as well as issues that affected you at work.  

• Wider than Medicines

  Mon 21st May 2018 The PDA

  Wider than Medicines is the PDA's long-term strategy for the pharmacy sector. It was launched at The Clinical Pharmacy Congress last month and outlines the steps needed to create an intelligent system that focuses on joined-up patient care.