The PDA supports pharmacists across the UK and Crown Dependencies to act collectively at their employers, to organise and, where practicable, to secure recognition for collective bargaining so that they can have a say on the pay and conditions they receive for doing their job. Members that volunteer are trained to become representatives and are supported by experienced negotiators from the PDA centre, so they can engage with the employer.
Traditionally, the month of April marks the turn of the financial year for many organisations, and this is also the time when many revised pay rates and other changes to employment terms are implemented.
Mark Pitt, PDA Union General Secretary, said: “The total number of employed pharmacists working for the public sector, primary care organisations or community pharmacy employers who recognise the PDA, is now around 25,000 registrants, which is over one third of the profession.
I’m pleased to report that over the years we have negotiated wage settlements worth tens of millions of pounds, which benefit employed pharmacists and we intend to keep doing so. In the private sector, PDA negotiated pay increases for pharmacists that consistently outstrip those awarded to other staff in the same employer.
We can do this because a part of what the PDA does for pharmacists relates to our status as a certified independent trade union. We are proud of our position as the only trade union exclusively for pharmacists in the UK, although that function is just one of the many ways the PDA fulfils it’s objective to safeguard, maintain the honour, and promote the interests of pharmacists in their exercise of the profession of pharmacy.
We know that we can’t guarantee to deliver everything that members would want from their employers, but nevertheless, what we do has a significant positive impact for pharmacists and their families. We believe that there is no other pharmacy organisation that makes such a direct impact on the working lives of pharmacists as the PDA.
With over 40,000 members, the PDA is already the largest pharmacist membership and leadership organisation in the UK. By joining us, those who have not yet done so can help strengthen our collective voice, putting us in an even better position to secure further improvements to terms and conditions across these and other employers.”
Examples of pay awards benefitting pharmacists from 1 April:
- Superdrug is the latest employer which recognises the PDA for collective bargaining on behalf of pharmacists, and this year is the first time pay has been negotiated there. A 3% headline increase accompanied by several other improvements was announced in March and took effect on 1 April.
- Since 2024, the PDA has been part of the NHS Staff Council structures. Pay in England, Northern Ireland and Wales is currently determined through a Pay Review Body arrangement, however the health unions, including the PDA can influence this. A 3.3% pay increase was applied from 1 April Nevertheless, the PDA and other health unions believe that this is not enough and are campaigning together for more. Members employed by NHS employers are invited to sign an open letter supporting this.
- Similarly in NHS Scotland, where pay is negotiated, the PDA is now part of the Scottish Terms and Conditions (STAC) structures. The increase implemented this month is for 3.75% from 1 April (though this will be reviewed as inflation becomes known this year, and if necessary it will be increased to ensure it remains at least 1% above CPI). The default full time contract in NHS Scotland also reduced to 36 hours per week from 1 April.
- While the new pay rates negotiated annually by the PDA for most pharmacists at Boots commence in November, new rates for foundation trainees at that employer also commenced on 1 April. This year these rates have reached £30,000 per year for Foundation Trainees.
- There is often a delay in any public sector funded pay awards being implemented in Northern Ireland due to complexities in the devolved government structures and processes. Frustratingly, pay rates may run a year behind. Therefore, the headline 4% increase which was agreed for pharmacists employed by GP Federations this year and announced in March is technically the pay review for the previous year.
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.