The Employment Rights Act (ERA) is a significant improvement to rights at work, undoubtedly the most beneficial changes in favour of workers for a generation, and it is helping #pharmacists to be treated better at work. Learn more: buff.ly/VAOUxxu

Recently, the #PDAnawp Network proudly hosted an International Women’s Day online event, centred around the theme 'Give to Gain', highlighting the power of mentorship, allyship, and collective support in advancing equality across the pharmacy profession. Learn more: buff.ly/hHdJlSa

The latest five-year cycle of our regional committees has now begun (April 2026), as members have elected the new teams to serve until 2031. We would like to thank those members who have served on our regional committees over the last five years. Learn more: buff.ly/aycvMkb

We are disappointed with GPhC's decision to increase fees by 6% in September 2026. It is not clear what monitoring the GPhC has undertaken and how it impacted the decision made on 26 March to further increase fees. Learn more: buff.ly/WMroW3u Not yet a member of the PDA? Join today! buff.ly/qraJ5tF

Superdrug and the #PDAunion have published their first joint statement after a recognition agreement was signed in December 2025. Both parties are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached in relation to this year’s pay claim, effective from 1 April 2026. Learn more: buff.ly/llEglAM

The #PDAlgbt Network marked LGBT+ History Month 2026 with an online event on 25 February 🏳️‍🌈. The event brought together members from across the #pharmacy profession to share their lived experiences and explore how the sector can continue to become more inclusive and representative: buff.ly/hBuocDU

NHS Staff unions, including the #PDAunion, are working with employers and the government to tackle violence in the NHS. Progress so far has included: 📝 Statutory and mandatory training 🫶 Post-incident support 🦺 Safe working practices guidance ➕️ Plus so much more. Learn more: buff.ly/nxOrUCE

Health and social care are key features of the Scottish parliamentary election in 2026, with #pharmacy and #pharmacists being specifically mentioned in televised debates and political party manifesto pledges. We have launched a manifesto with key asks of the next government: buff.ly/D64BjSC

The Northern Ireland GP Federations and the #PDAunion are pleased to confirm their latest joint statement following a meeting in January 2026. The statement covers pay, adverse weather protocols, working from home policy and more. Learn more: buff.ly/0rQiQGk

PDA members around the UK were invited to stand for election, and following a process managed by an independent scrutineer, the results have now been verified. We would like to congratulate all members who have been duly elected to their regional committees. Learn more: buff.ly/fl74l42

The #PDAlgbt Network was made aware of updated guidance produced by the BMUS on the practice of transvaginal ultrasound examinations.. They note that the guidance recognises transvaginal scans as an important diagnostic modality and considers the patient holistically throughout: buff.ly/Gf0eujc

In the latest PDA blog, Director of Pharmacy, Jay Badenhorst discusses why the PDA is advocating for a new commissioning framework for community #pharmacy clinical services, the limits of existing Community Pharmacy Contractual Frameworks and the Pharmacy Quality Scheme. Learn more: buff.ly/AxPdAwz

We are inviting #pharmacists to take part in an important survey that will help shape the our response to current regulatory proposals affecting the role of the Superintendent Pharmacist and Responsible Pharmacists. Learn more and complete the survey today: buff.ly/XnTkoea

The PDA Regional Committees recently met for the first meetings of 2026. Members welcomed the newest PDA member benefits. This comprises of up to ten days of financial support following a violent attack at work or contracting hepatitis or HIV following a needlestick injury at work: buff.ly/E3EYaiG

We recently provided written evidence to the House of Lords Public Services Committee’s inquiry into medicines supply chains, drawing attention to the impact of medicine shortages on both patient-facing #pharmacists and the patients depending on their care. Learn more: buff.ly/J5eSR2z

We reacted to media reports about potential closures at Morrisons, which were later confirmed as four #pharmacy closures alongside the closures of 52 cafés, 17 convenience stores, and more across the supermarket’s network. We are reminding #pharmacists that they can seek support: buff.ly/S18FsuF

We recently caught up with Oscar Ndulor, winner of the #Pharmacy Student Leadership Award at the Scottish Healthcare Awards 🏆️. Here, he explains what the award means to him and the impact he feels it will have on him and his future in pharmacy. Learn more: buff.ly/Zwp69cf

The GPhC have announced that all reasonable adjustment requests for the June 2026 assessment must be submitted by 5 pm on Monday 23 February 2026. Our advice is that members should ask for a reasonable adjustment if they feel it would be beneficial to them. Learn more: buff.ly/8lmZ1It

Boots and the #PDAunion are pleased to confirm that from April 2026, there will be a pay increase for trainee pharmacists in England and Northern Ireland. Read the joint statement here: buff.ly/LnFMBoM Not yet a member of the PDA? PDA membership is FREE to #TraineePharmacists! buff.ly/zrR7Qi3

📣Calling all #pharmacists, it is time to have your say before 23 February! With the disturbing rise in violence directed at #pharmacy teams across the UK, we have launched our ninth #SaferPharmacies Survey. We encourage all pharmacists to take part and complete the survey here: buff.ly/xDOzBZC

Read the first edition of #InsightOnline for 2026. This month, we bring you the digital version of Insight magazine and announce two exciting new PDA benefits at no additional charge to members! Learn more: buff.ly/fIaZK40 Not yet a member of the PDA? Join today! buff.ly/2SKVnLo

PDA Director of Defence Services, Mark Pitt, was interviewed for the latest episode of ‘The PJ Pod’, a #Pharmaceutical Journal podcast 🎙️ . The episode is titled ‘Speaking up: how to raise concerns in the #pharmacy workplace’. Learn more and listen to the podcast here: buff.ly/ZEMnvEg

As of 16 January 2026, we became an official supporter of Health Equals, which is a coalition of over 100 organisations that want to make a positive difference to UK society’s health and wellbeing. Learn more: buff.ly/B5NQpRm

Two recent developments pull community #pharmacy in very different directions. One proposes facilitated self-selection of P medicines; the other changes the law so ‘checked and bagged’ prescriptions may be handed out while the pharmacist is absent. Learn more: buff.ly/NewauiF

We welcome the independent evaluation of NHS England’s Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing (IP) Pathfinder Programme by the Centre for Pharmacy Workforce Studies (University of Manchester) and ICF Consulting. We also recognise the evaluation’s actionable recommendations: buff.ly/V2U7kQd

📣 We have launched the ‘Medicines To Gaza’ Challenge, inviting #PharmacyStudents and trainees to deliver their own campaign to raise awareness and funds. The challenge will contribute to the humanitarian project to provide essential medicines to those affected by the crisis in Gaza: buff.ly/w2Zbec9

A recent NHS consultation asked for views on proposed changes to the service specification for specialist gender incongruence services for children and young people. The #PDAlgbt Network has responded. Learn more: buff.ly/di3tRDT

We continue to monitor the situation regarding Jhoots #pharmacies, and are providing another update to members, providing support and continuing to engage with the government and the regulator on the situation. Learn more: buff.ly/mEGm4xt

With the disturbing rise in violence, theft, and physical assault directed at #pharmacy teams across the UK, we have launched our ninth #SaferPharmacies Survey. We encourage all employed and locum pharmacists to take part and complete the survey here: buff.ly/8UD65Bu

The #PDAunion is calling for nominations for members to form its four Regional Committees. Where more candidates are nominated than seats available, all full members in each region will be asked to vote to decide who is elected. Learn more: buff.ly/retMfEH Not yet a member of the PDA? Join today!

Though we have existed for less than 25 years, our story reaches back much further, with some parts established more than a century ago. To learn the story, our history timeline details some of the highlights and significant events that have shaped the PDA. Learn more: buff.ly/5ZcrJSD

After a period of discussions, Superdrug and the #PDAunion have established a formal recognition agreement. This agreement outlines the framework for how the union will represent #pharmacists and trainee pharmacists employed by Superdrug. Learn more: buff.ly/2UW4pPc

We welcome the news that the Employment Rights Bill has finally been passed and will become the Employment Rights Act. Royal Assent is expected before the end of 2025, and the act will come into force in stages over 2026 and 2027. Learn more: buff.ly/0aiPQ7U

Potential assisted dying legislation continues to be developed in the various jurisdictions that make up the UK and Crown Dependencies. We have members areas who could be impacted by such proposals welcomes amendment that provides #pharmacists with a conscientious objection clause: buff.ly/42m3NKD

From 7 January 2026, the law changes regarding pre-checked and bagged prescriptions. We acknowledge the approval of the Human Medicines (Authorisation by Pharmacists and Supervision by Pharmacy Technicians) Order 2025 by Parliament and the Privy Council and have released a statement: buff.ly/DKYPk7T

We would like to remind members that our office opening times will differ slightly over the festive season but normal service will resume on Friday 2 January 2026. Not yet a member of the PDA? Join today. PDA membership is FREE to #PharmacyStudents and #TraineePharmacists! buff.ly/2SKVnLo

Yesterday, trainee #pharmacists and some re-sitters got their results from the November 2025 assessment. We have once again reviewed our membership arrangements to ensure that, whether a trainee or a re-sitter, there is a PDA membership category available for everyone. Learn more: buff.ly/wj9wrs8

With resident doctors in the BMA taking industrial action from 17-22 December, we are reissuing advice for members faced with an industrial action picket line. Learn more: buff.ly/TSEXgk8 Not yet a member of the PDA? Join today! buff.ly/2SKVnLo

We are confirming general advice about debts owed by businesses that operated #pharmacies under the Jhoots brand and invite any members who are owed such money, but have not yet contacted us, to do so without further delay. Learn more: buff.ly/WtHim3r

We would like to remind all candidates who sat the November 2025 assessment, and feel that they have grounds to appeal on receipt of their results, to review the GPhC guidance and gather all evidence before taking action: buff.ly/sIvnDIT Not yet a member of the PDA? Join today! buff.ly/2SKVnLo

We have issued a final reminder on Boots Pension Scheme complaints. Members are reminded that they should have lodged a case through the Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP) if they wish to complain about the 2023 changes to that scheme. Learn more: buff.ly/t0cC4jK

Love. Unity. Hope. These are the things that will stop the far right in its tracks. ✋ Stand with us. Join the alliance: togetheralliance.org.uk #Together @togetheralliance

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of #pharmacists in all sectors of #pharmacy 🫶. As part of this, we were recently in contact with Louisa Daubney, a burnout coach, and here she shares her top tips that pharmacists can use to look after their wellbeing in the workplace: buff.ly/tYxeeHc

The PDA Regional Committees have held the fourth round of Regional Committee meetings in 2025. Some of the topics discussed have included : 💉 Eligibility for Covid-19 vaccines 📚 Protected learning time ⚖️ Downward pressure on locum rates 🥇 The Pharmacy First Service Learn more : buff.ly/k5j6y92

We are proud to celebrate the participation of a dedicated #PDA rep, Sade Abiola, at the 29th Annual STUC Black Workers’ Conference. Sade, a NHS Fife #pharmacist, joined Black trade unionists from across Scotland to help shape the future of anti-racist organising in Scotland: buff.ly/UHq9vpY

We are updating members employed by the NHS in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on the current pay review. The NHS Pay Review Body has now received submissions from both HM Government and NHS Employers as well as those representing NHS staff. Learn more: buff.ly/hrxNOKZ

We would like to thank everyone who nominated themselves to be on the committee for the #PDAability Network. The Network is pleased to introduce the newly elected PDA Ability Network Officers, who will also be working closely with the other PDA Equality Networks. Learn more: buff.ly/ovyXpFh

Explore what's new in the October issue of #InsightOnline! This month, read about the importance of appropriate monitoring for ADHD medication and gain a better understanding of indemnity arrangements and how your insurance is a vital layer of protection. Learn more: buff.ly/EQtAW03

We are supporting members facing potential redundancy at the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE), which is provided by the University of Manchester. The CPPE contract is due for renewal next year, and NHS funding is reducing even if the contract is renewed. Learn more: buff.ly/B22mQ2P

An urgent parliamentary debate led to the Pharmacy Minister announcing a commitment to address bad business behaviour. We have previously highlighted that while individual registrants face strict regulatory enforcement, it often seems that pharmacy owners face no consequences: buff.ly/ijYAbeP