The week fosters open conversations, collaborative learning, and practical action to improve both patient and workforce experiences, particularly for those from ethnically diverse backgrounds and other minoritised groups who continue to face disproportionate health inequalities.
The week, held from 24 to 27 November, brought together pharmacy professionals, sector leaders, and partner organisations to champion inclusive practice, challenge inequalities, and promote meaningful cultural change across the profession.
As part of the week’s programme, the PDA co‑hosted a key online workshop titled ‘Dismantling Racism, Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination in the Workplace’, which was delivered in partnership with representatives from the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) and Hélio Fazenda, Chief Pharmacy Technician at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The workshop was expertly chaired by Melanie Holloway, OD Manager (equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)), NHS England, and Chair of NHS England’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
The PDA and GHP IPP Advisory Board members were both in attendance at the workshop, with Rob Connah, GHP President, introducing the workshop and Alima Batchelor, PDA Head of Policy, presenting.
The PDA’s session explored the importance of allyship and highlighted how toxic working environments can develop in its absence. Through case studies and real‑world insights, Alima Batchelor, and Dr Jayne Love, PDA Organiser and Equalities Lead, demonstrated how collective action, strengthened through PDA EDI Networks and sector‑wide collaboration, can transform workplace culture for the better.
Representatives from the GHP then presented on their pharmacy inclusivity checklist. Kemi Adelaja, Vice-Chair (EDI), and Doha Ben-Hamed, Chair (Sustainability), highlighted the need for representation and participation as well as inclusive behaviours and communication to support this. They also drew attention to considerations around accessibility, including neurodiversity, and the importance of psychological safety and belonging.
Hélio Fazenda, Chief Pharmacy Technician at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, provided a manager’s perspective on building the right workplace culture. He referred to the values of civility and respect, which are mentioned in the NHS Long Term Plan, and drew upon findings from the RPS Workforce and Wellbeing Survey 2024. In particular, he emphasised the need for cultural and circumstantial awareness, inclusive recruitment practices, EDI training, and open communication.
Following the three sessions delivered by the PDA, GHP, and Hélio Fazenda, there was a panel discussion. The PDA was represented by Jyoti Buxani, President of the PDA Ability Network, and Sade Abiola, PDA BAME Network member, the Scottish TUC Black Workers’ Committee, and a PDA Workplace Representative.
Sade said, “The event highlighted the importance of strong allyship and an understanding that racism in the workplace affects us all.”
Jyoti added, “The IPP event shed a light on the need for a continuing conversation on the effects of racism, harassment, bullying and discrimination in the pharmacy workplace. Although progress has been made to address these ongoing issues, pharmacy professionals should feel comfortable in standing up for themselves and for close allies to step forward and support them when such behaviours present. More work needs to be done with the transition of MPharm students between graduation and the duration of their Foundation training, as there are gaps with supporting individuals going from a protective environment at university into the pharmacy workforce.”
Alima Batchelor, PDA Head of Policy and IPP Advisory Board member said, “In these changing times when EDI is being increasingly questioned, challenged, and, in some cases, dismantled, there has never been a greater need for allyship and for people to work together to support and actively promote the fundamental principles that all people should have an equal opportunity to succeed and that there should be no place for ingrained individual or systemic bias to negatively affect diverse groups at work, in education, or in the wider world.”
Melanie Holloway, OD Manager (EDI), NHS England, and Chair of NHS England’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network said, “It was a privilege to chair this workshop and to witness firsthand the depth of commitment, insight, and practical action taking place across the pharmacy profession in relation to equality, diversity, and inclusion. As Chair, I was genuinely struck not only by the expertise in the room, but by the willingness of participants to engage openly, listen to one another, and share responsibility for driving change.
The quality of the discussion reinforced how vital allyship is in dismantling racism, harassment, bullying, and discrimination – particularly in the current social, political, and global context, where these issues are increasingly complex and, at times, contested. Workshops such as this are critically important because they do more than raise awareness; they create space for honest dialogue, shared learning, and collective responsibility, all of which are essential for driving meaningful and sustainable cultural change.
For me personally, chairing this workshop reaffirmed why this work matters so much. The dedication shown by individuals and networks across the sector highlights the real difference that committed allyship, collaboration, and sustained focus can make in creating safer, fairer, and more inclusive workplaces for everyone.”
The PDA’s role in IPP Week forms part of its broader and long‑standing commitment to leading on EDI across the pharmacy sector. Last year marked an important milestone, 120 years of the National Association of Women Pharmacists (NAWP) Network. Coinciding with International Women’s Day celebrations, the PDA highlighted the significant contributions of women in pharmacy and renewed calls for gender equity, leadership development, and fairer opportunities across all career stages.
Now in their sixth year, the PDA’s Ability, BAME, and LGBT+ Networks continue to grow in influence and reach, giving a platform to underrepresented groups and ensuring diverse voices shape the future of the profession. Through advocacy, education, and partnership working, the PDA continues to drive forward a more inclusive, representative, and equitable future for the pharmacy workforce and the communities they serve.
Learn more
- NHS England Inclusive pharmacy practice
- PDA supports Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025
- Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025: Session recordings
- PDA leadership in action: Demonstrating credibility and impact in 2025
- PDA Member Networks
- PDA BAME Network launches Anti-Racist Pharmacy Toolkit
- It’s Time to Address Discrimination: Standing up for Sitting Down
- PDA LGBT+ Network launch resources to support LGBT+ inclusive education
- Celebrating 120 years of the PDA NAWP Network
- Celebrating 5 years of the PDA EDI Networks
- GHP Inclusivity Checklist – 2025
- NHS Long Term Workforce Plan
- Workforce Wellbeing
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.