Sima opened the event by emphasising the importance of creating a safe space for sharing views and opinions. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of black women in society. Sima particularly highlighted the difference made by her black female colleagues both in community pharmacy and academia.
Sima discussed how the PDA continually supports diversity and equality through legal representation and securing substantial compensation for members who experienced racism at work, further emphasizing the organisation’s dedication to these values.
Deborah Nyaberi, co-opted member of the PDA BAME Committee shared recent activities of the Network including a response to the Ethnicity Pay Reporting consultation. Deborah also shared the network’s recent collaborative work with NHS England and NHS Improvement on the Inclusive Pharmacy Practice programme which focuses on making the workplace more inclusive for pharmacy professionals. Deborah also highlighted previously submitted anti-racist motions at STUC Congresses and urged all participants to take part in the #Wematter campaign to celebrate black female leaders.
Wai-Chan Lau, Vice President of the PDA BAME Network talked about upcoming projects including an Mpharm attainment gap campaign to help universities close their awarding gap between white and BAME students. Other projects also include a sickle cell anemia factsheet to raise awareness among communities and pharmacists to understand symptoms to look for to better support patients.
Chan initiated a poll and led a member discussion on topics such as experiences of racism at work, addressing racism, and organisations being slow in the adoption of anti-racist measures.
Lastly, Sima introduced the PDA’s Anti-Racist Pharmacy Toolkit, highlighting its member-led approach, its framework, and how members can use it in their workplaces. Sima encouraged as many members as possible to carry out the member survey and employer questionnaire from the toolkit in their workplace to ascertain and address issues in their employer. This was followed by Nav Bhogal, co-opted member of the PDA BAME Committee who shared a real-life example of him using the toolkit as a PDA Representative working in Boots to address issues at work.
Manuella Asso, PDA BAME Network Coordinator said, “This event demonstrated the commitment of the PDA BAME Committee and the PDA to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in the pharmacy profession. It facilitated open discussions, provided valuable insights, and showcased practical tools to address inequality in the workplace. Most importantly, it provided a space for inspirational Black women to be celebrated.”
Elsy Gomez Campos, Past President of the PDA BAME Network said, “Opportunities such as tonight’s event, where members can share experiences and solutions, are crucial to address racial discrimination in our profession.”
Sima Hassan, President of the PDA BAME Network said, “The event demonstrated the work still required to make pharmacy a safe and equal environment for BAME pharmacists but I believe that with resources such as the PDA’s Anti-Racist Pharmacy Toolkit we are heading in the right direction to make our profession fairer and more equal for all.”
Get involved
- Follow the PDA BAME Network on social media using #PDAbame
- For more information about the PDA BAME Network, click here.
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, email bame@the-pda.org
- Join the PDA BAME Network here.
Learn more
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