This gives the PDA a stronger platform to represent UK members’ interests with the World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation in Geneva, as well as in European discussions on pharmacy workload, patient safety, and workforce development.
EPA will advocate for improved working conditions and greater professional recognition for pharmacists. A successful European pharmacist association will inevitably strengthen the PDA’s ability to exert influence in the UK with policy makers and governments.
A platform for action
The association will have a strong research and knowledge-generation foundation. It aims to turn evidence about pharmacists’ unique skills, their hopes and aspirations into national and international policies, professional standards, and practical solutions that strengthen pharmacy practice across Europe and in the UK. The PDA will use its leading position to ensure this work reflects the challenges facing UK pharmacists and delivers improvements members can experience in their working lives.
Its areas of focus will include:
- Improved roles and conditions of employment for pharmacists.
- Workload and supporting staff.
- Advocacy for the individual pharmacist agenda.
- Scientific research and evidence-based pharmacy practice.
- Vaccination and public health.
- Responsible artificial intelligence.
- Education and workforce development.
- Interprofessional collaboration.
- Patient safety; and
- Sustainable healthcare.
“I am proud that the PDA has been chosen as the organisation that should hold the initial Presidency of this important new Association. The successful launch of the European Pharmacists Association (EPA) and our key role in its direction of travel will result in the PDA being able to exert greater influence with policy makers not just in Europe, but importantly, also with the governments in the UK.
We recognise that pharmacists in the UK want their hopes and aspirations recognised and their working conditions improved. This is no different to colleagues in other European countries. By working together, we become stronger as we work to reduce the levels of burnout seen currently amongst our respective pharmacist memberships.
As the largest and most relevant pharmacist leadership body for pharmacists in the UK, we will do our utmost to drive the collective benefits for those UK pharmacists at the coal face of pharmacy practice.”
Mark Koziol, Pharmacist, PDA Chairman and EPA President
European influence, practical benefits for UK members
The PDA will use its European leadership to build influence, share evidence and forge alliances that strengthen its ability to defend pharmacists, secure better recognition, safer practice, and better working lives for members.
For more details click here.
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you tojoin todayand 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.