The PDA (Pharmacists’ Defence Association)

Latest News

• Boots Pharmacists: Why recognise a trade union?

  Sun 20th January 2019 PDA Union

  Doctors have the BMA, Physiotherapists the CSP, Nurses the RCN, Midwives the RCM and so on across the sector. Since 2008, Pharmacists have had the PDA Union standing up for their rights too. 

• Should Boots be proud of their pay practice?

  Sat 19th January 2019 PDA Union

  A Senior company director recently said that Boots are “proud of [its] market-leading levels of pay for [its] pharmacy population.” So we want to explain what that pay system involves. 

• Pharmacists call on Boots to allow maximum voting period in recognition ballot

  Fri 18th January 2019 PDA Union

  Pharmacists and pre-registration trainees are calling upon Boots to support an application by the PDA Union to request that ballot papers are posted out at the start of the ballot period, to help ensure as many pharmacists as possible can participate in the vote. 

• Are the new Defences to criminal prosecution for dispensing errors effective?

  Fri 18th January 2019 The PDA

  For years the threat of criminal prosecution for pharmacists who have made an inadvertent dispensing error has been a concern for all pharmacists. 

• Health Education England cuts funding for hospital pre-registration pharmacists in England

  Fri 11th January 2019 The PDA

  Health Education England has announced a decision to cut funding for hospital pre-registration pharmacist placements by up to 25% from 2020 onward.  

PDA Union Recognition at Boots

Safer Pharmacies Charter

The Role of Pharmacy Technicians

Latest Consultations

• PDA respond to the DHSC’s Informal consultation on urgent changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012

  Tue 8th January 2019 PDA Union

  Prompted by the preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is proposing some changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to ensure the continuity of the supply of medicines when the UK leaves the EU, including in a ‘no deal’ scenario.  

• PSNI consultation on indicative sanctions guidance

  Wed 7th November 2018 The PDA

  The PDA responded to the PSNI (Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland)’s consultation on new Indicative Sanctions Guidance for its Statutory Committee. The Statutory Committee considers and adjudicates on serious Fitness to Practise allegations made against pharmacists in Northern Ireland. 

• PDA respond to the GPhC’s consultation on its Publication and Disclosure Policy

  Tue 16th October 2018 The PDA

  The GPhC consulted from 5 July 2018 until 14 September 2018 on changes to its publication and disclosure policy in relation to individuals subject to fitness to practice proceedings. 

Latest Publications

• Insight Online – December 2018

  Wed 19th December 2018 The PDA

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

• Insight Online – November 2018

  Thu 29th November 2018 The PDA

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

• Sign up to the PDA newsletter

  Wed 21st November 2018 The PDA

  Our regular newsletter Insight Online will keep you updated on PDA news and events, as well as issues that affected you at work