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PDA responds to media reports that McKesson plan to sell LloydsPharmacy

The PDA is responding to media reports that McKesson intend to sell their LloydsPharmacy business and is reassuring members that the union will be doing all it can to protect their employment should this be accurate and their employment be affected.

Tue 16th February 2021 PDA Union

The national media are reporting that McKesson UK has a plan to dispose of their c.1,500 branch community pharmacy business.  Although the company has declined to comment, the PDA Union nevertheless is reassuring union members that it will support them through the implications of any such strategy being implemented.

The PDA Union recently secured trade union recognition rights at the company and is in the process of establishing it’s network of union representatives and consultative/negotiating structures across the business.

Paul Day, PDA Director said: “Whatever the future brings for the LloydsPharmacy business the PDA Union will continue to act in the interests of our members and will be supporting them to exercise their rights at work.”

The PDA understand that should any commercial negotiations occur to sell the business they would likely be subject to confidentiality arrangements, however the union would expect the company to be open and transparent with its employees and to communicate with them as soon as they are able to do so, and to keep their recognised union representatives informed.

Mr Day added: “Pharmacists will have a number of concerns if the reported strategy were to be implemented, such as:  Who is buying the business? Will it be kept together?  What will be the consequences for my branch, my working hours and my employment?  Whatever the answers to these questions, PDA members can be assured that we will be alongside them to ensure their voice is heard and to support them.

The PDA team includes experts in employment law so can help with a wide range of possible changes that could emerge from a potential sale. Trade Unions can generally only give legal advice to members and pharmacists are therefore encouraged to join the PDAU and similarly the PDA encourage other members of the store team to join an appropriate union for them.

Mr Day concluded “Our members will be understandably concerned about these media reports, however we can say that whoever owns the business and whatever shape or structure it has in future, the PDA will be there for our members.  We are already hearing from some pharmacists who are worried by what they are seeing in the media and we will be keeping members advised if and when this situation progresses.

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The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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