PDA is helping in the fight against COVID-19

We are well aware of the current conditions faced by pharmacists and the volume of urgent guidance you are receiving because of the COVID-19 crisis.

We have a dedicated section of our website where we will be keeping you informed of major developments (learn more). We will also be sending you specific communications by email which we hope you read in full, and will continue to send you Insight Online monthly, which includes a summary of all PDA news, progress and developments.

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March 2020

In this issue:

IWD event highlights the benefits of joining a trade union and campaigning for equality

PDA’s first International Women’s Day (IWD) event took place on Wednesday 11 March and was an opportunity for members, reps and colleagues to come together and discuss some of the issues affecting women in pharmacy. The event was hosted by the newly relaunched National Association of Women Pharmacists (NAWP), which is now a network of the PDA with over 350 members.

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PDA publish Safer Hospital Pharmacies Charter

The PDA’s experiences of defending pharmacists in critical situations shows that concerns over safer working environments are a regular feature of practice for hospital pharmacists. In an initiative led by hospital pharmacists from PDA Union committees and supported by frontline practitioner hospital pharmacists, the PDA has published the Safer Hospital Pharmacies Charter, which is available to download now.

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PDA cancels its forthcoming conferences due to COVID 19

The PDA has recently announced that it has cancelled four events due to the situation with the coronavirus. The cancelled events are the PDA National Conference 2020 which was scheduled for 28 & 29 March in Birmingham and the programme of pre-registration trainee “Finishing First” courses due in Birmingham on 28 & 29 March, Manchester on 19 April and London on 26 April.

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NHS England updates guidance regarding Coronavirus – update 1

NHS England has issued guidance for primary care-based healthcare professionals on required actions whilst novel Coronavirus is an infection risk to the population.

PDAU respond as Boots publicly confirm plan to sell 44 pharmacies

The PDA Union will be doing all it can to support PDAU members affected by the company’s intention to sell 44 pharmacies in England and Wales as part of their plans to close 200 of their branches.

Scottish award winner has useful advice for new pharmacy students

We recently caught up with Erin Gilmour of Robert Gordon University, winner of the 2019 Scottish Student Leadership Award, to find out her future plans, what inspired her to study pharmacy, and how her time at university has changed her as a person.