The PDA is once again inviting members to join in and celebrate #Pharmacy24 using the campaign hashtag to highlight the work that they and their colleagues have achieved this past year.
The PDA will also be taking the opportunity to highlight the work they’ve done in the last year to improve the working lives of pharmacists, trainees, and students.
Below is a list of some of the key achievements worth noting:
Campaign for financial support for pharmacy students
The PDA is always committed to helping pharmacy students on their journey to becoming qualified. In the past year, PDA Student Reps have campaigned with members for MPharm students to receive fair financial support from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Recent developments in the campaign have seen it receive cross-party support from several MPs and extend to Wales, where there is similar funding for healthcare students from which pharmacy students are also exempt. Learn more and get involved in the campaign here.
PDA EDI Networks stand up to discrimination
This year, the PDA EDI Networks have continued to address discrimination and campaign for equality and inclusion. They have helped identify issues that need to be acted upon and influenced PDA policy as a result of this. The networks have also published a range of factsheets and newsletters, hosted educational events, and more. Find out more about the networks here.
Support for trainee pharmacists
This year, the PDA has continued to support trainee pharmacists by negotiating for pay rises, advocating on their behalf, and launching free revision resources. The revision programme is designed to help PDA trainee members pass the registration exam, with over 100 practice questions, mock ‘exams’, revision tips, live calculations events and more!
The PDA’s online learning platform, PDA Education, will be launching its revision programme for trainees sitting the summer assessment on Monday 1 April.
PDA defends members
PDA members are able to access professional legal advice, should they ever need it. This past year, the PDA has supported members through a range of legal matters and in employment tribunals. In one notable example, the PDA helped a member win a 5-day hearing after he had been racially harassed at work. Read more here.
Members who have experienced conflict or unfair treatment at work are encouraged to contact the PDA Member Support Centre for professional advice as soon as possible.
PDA campaigns around the DHSC supervision consultation
Since the start of 2023, the PDA has been campaigning in the interests of its members around the DHSC’s supervision consultation. The PDA hosted multiple member events to inform pharmacists about what the consultation would mean to them and encouraged members to have their say.
Recently, after taking into consideration the experiences of members, a significant casework pool, and extensive scrutiny with the support of legal counsel, the PDA provided its views on the proposals. Learn more here.
Guidance and resources for members
To support members, the PDA has continued to provide guidance on important topics. The PDA has held events and produced resources on a range of matters, including pay negotiations, the supervision consultation, redundancy, discrimination in the workplace, and more. Access the PDA’s range of resources here.
Support for members affected by the introduction of the Pharmacy First Service
With the recent introduction of the Pharmacy First Service (PFS) in England, the PDA has been working hard to advise and support members. Pharmacists are currently being asked to share their ongoing experience and feedback of PFS so that the PDA can continue to lobby on their behalf. Members can provide the PDA with their feedback here.
PDA campaigns for pharmacists on a global level
As a member of FIP, the PDA advocates for UK pharmacists on a global level. This year, the PDA attended the FIP Annual Global Congress to seek formal recognition of the Safer Pharmacies Charter, campaign for member benefits, and develop pharmaceutical care around the world. Learn more about the PDA’s activity at the Congress here.
The PDA also supported FIP as they represented members at the United Nations Climate Change Conference and the WHO Executive Board.
PDA negotiates pay rises for pharmacists
The PDA Union negotiates improvements to pay and working conditions at numerous employers. Recent pay talks at Boots saw an improved pay review package agreed for trainee pharmacists! Furthermore, the PDA is working to secure, through additional negotiations, a 5% pay increase for those working at LloydsPharmacy Healthcare Services Ltd which is an increase above inflation.
Over £100,000 in unpaid locum fees secured in 2023
In 2023 alone, the PDA successfully secured over £100,000 in unpaid locum fees. This is the highest rate than all other previous years. The PDA supports locum pharmacists in many other ways, such as hosting engaging and educational events and standing up for their interests.
PDA donates over £200,000 to pharmacist charities
Every year, the PDA donates money to the charities specifically for pharmacists. Since 2017, the PDA has donated over £200,000 to Britain’s Pharmacist Support. The PDA also supports PASS (the Pharmacist Advice and Support Service) in Northern Ireland. Learn more about our support for PASS here.
Member events and networks
Often alongside its reps, the PDA hosts a range of informative and engaging events for members. These include events for the Early Careers Network, Initial Education and Training, Regional Committee meetings, and sessions on redundancy rights, the NHS job evaluation, primary care matters, the Pharmacy First Service, locum matters, the PDA Reps Networks and more.
PDA Education
The PDA’s online platform, PDA Education, delivers a wide range of training opportunities for members and reps. The sessions cover a variety of topics, such as negotiating, representation, health and safety, and equality training. Members can find more information on our upcoming events here.
Get involved
Pharmacists, students, and trainees are invited to share their key achievements over the past year on social media using the hashtag #Pharmacy24.
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.