Thousands of pharmacists from across the country attended the annual two-day event which offered them the opportunity to network and learn from hundreds of industry professionals.
The PDA is a proud supporter of the show.
PDA Safer Pharmacies Charter
During this session, PDA Director of Pharmacy, Jay Badenhorst discussed the Safer Pharmacies Charter, which aims to improve patient safety by enhancing working conditions across UK pharmacy practice. He also exclusively announced the results of the latest Safer Pharmacies Survey, which the PDA regularly conduct to measure pharmacists’ experiences against the seven commitments of the Charter. It was revealed during the session that there has been an encouraging improvement in all commitments since the first survey in 2018. These results will be released shortly.
Later on in the session, Jay explained the current relevance and importance of the Charter, including how it can be used to influence positive change within the industry.
Jay said, “The Safer Pharmacies Charter provides a comprehensive framework that encourages us to prioritise patient safety, uphold professional integrity and strive for operational excellence. It helps shape the environment we practice in and, with the changes in pharmacy practice, is more important than ever before.
I believe that every pharmacy has a vital role in protecting the health of our communities. By committing to the Safer Pharmacies Charter, we can demonstrate our dedication to professional standards and exceptional patient care, reinforcing public trust in our profession.
I encourage all pharmacists to join me in this important initiative and have discussions with employers about the differences these standards can made to your daily practice. Together, we can create a safer healthcare environment for everyone.”
Jay also facilitated the ‘Women = Business Leaders’ session at the show. This featured Community Pharmacy Contractor and Pharmacist, Sukhi Basra and Superintendent Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber, Sehar Shahid.
From L-R: Sukhi Basra, Jay Badenhorst, Sehar Shahid
Jay Badenhorst presents the PDA Safer Pharmacies Charter session
Standing Up for Sitting Down
Earlier this year, the PDA Ability Network launched its ‘Standing Up for Sitting Down’ campaign against disability discrimination.
This session at The Pharmacy Show outlined the key asks of the campaign, such as employers making appropriate and ongoing reasonable adjustments and members ensuring they understand their rights. It also covered the results of a survey carried out by the PDA, which showed that 52% of respondents had experienced disability discrimination at work.
During the session, PDA Ability Network members, Jyoti Buxani, a lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, and Qamarunissa Hamad, a primary care pharmacist, spoke of their experiences of disability. Jyoti spoke about her “superpower” of dyslexia, and the impact of being diagnosed in her 30s and Qamar shared the challenges of losing her hearing whilst a student and how this did not stop her pursuing her dream to become a pharmacist.
Jyoti said, “I had an amazing opportunity to support the PDA Ability Network by talking about my journey as a dyslexic and working pharmacist. I was able to support the session, talking candidly about my views and experiences in raising the awareness of dyslexia within the pharmacy profession.
After a journey that started at the age of 34, as an adult, I have become comfortable addressing the support I may require, in the way of adaptations to software, and how I work with other individuals.
I emphasised that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, as everyone will process information and work differently.
Although this was a significant step to speaking out about this subject area with the Standing Up for Sitting Down campaign, there is a lot of work to be done in raising awareness around hidden disabilities within pharmacy. We must help the future generations to thrive and work together, in the ever-changing pharmacy landscape.”
Qamarunissa said, “It was an absolute delight to share my own personal experience on this platform at The Pharmacy Show. I felt that I was able to get my message across and tap into the reality of living with a disability in today’s world as a healthcare professional. Having the support of the PDA has helped me get to where I am today as a pharmacist! Please continue to support our campaign, Standing Up for Sitting Down.”
From L-R: Qamarunissa Hamad, Liz Larkin, Jyoti Buxani
Get involved
- Join the PDA Ability Network here.
- Pharmacists, support the Safer Pharmacies Charter here.
- Pharmacy owners and senior managers, sign up to the Safer Pharmacies Charter here.
Learn more
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.