There are four PDA Regional Committees:
- Region 1 – Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
- Region 2 – Northern England
- Region 3 – Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
- Region 4 – Southeast England
Below are details of some of the issues that were discussed at the fourth round of Regional Committee meetings in 2025.
Across several Regional Committee meetings, members working in community confirmed that the non-eligibility for Covid-19 vaccines for those under the age of 75 had caused significant problems in pharmacies where people have been coming in who do not qualify.
In the hospital sector, protected learning time was a hot topic, following the publication of the Freedom of Information data obtained by The Pharmaceutical Journal which revealed that only 23% of trusts and boards use job plans for pharmacists and that 28% do not offer formalised protected learning time. Members felt that there was low professional advancement in hospital when compared with community, despite the hospital pharmacist being best placed to access training opportunities.
Some of the other issues discussed at the Regional Committee meetings included:
Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man
In Scotland, members across all sectors raised concerns about increasing racism, which was manifesting itself through unpleasant and hateful rhetoric. In some community settings, pharmacists had to refuse service due to offensive racist comments and aggression that they had experienced from patients.
Continued consolidation also seems to be prevalent across the community sector, with small and medium chains extending their portfolios across Scotland.
Primary care pharmacists debated around the use of pharmacy technicians in clinical decision making. Some members had noted incorrect deprescribing of certain therapies that needed to be corrected, and when concerns were highlighted to employers, limited apparent remedial action was taken. However, others felt that technicians in their areas worked within competence and suitable frameworks, and that some decisions, though annotated by technicians, would likely have had a pharmacist’s input before being actioned.
Locums reported continued downward pressure on locum rates alongside increased workload, with many leaving pharmacy to seek other sources of income and employment.
Northern England
In community, members discussed the Pharmacy First Service and that all but one Patient Group Directions (PGDs) have changed with short notice. They also highlighted the lack of protected learning time when compared with NHS pharmacists, as many of those working in community have to use their annual leave entitlement and fund their own studies for Independent Prescribing (IP) courses. It was felt that some major employers are not interested in upskilling staff, which could provide income opportunities if used for providing clinic appointments.
Locums again drew attention to fewer locum vacancies and lower rates. It was felt that many locums are now opting for regular days of the week. Members queried whether locums with IP qualifications would be hired over those without.
Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
PDA members working in community in large multiples reported a variety of challenges. In one employer, members reported issues around non-payment as well as threatening behaviour towards them from the owners. In another large multiple, recent changes have led to greater restrictions on pharmacists’ practice around extra duties. At an additional employer where some pharmacists have been subject to Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), members raised issues around sick pay. Any members needing support with issues like this at their workplace are encouraged to contact the PDA Member Support Centre.
Both primary care and locum pharmacists felt that there was an expectation to become Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs), and they discussed the need for renumeration around this.
Southeast England
Members working in community discussed the government consultation on enabling pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines. In particular, this was debated in relation to IP qualifications within community and prescribing practice versus IP intervention. Issues around funding were also raised, especially in terms of locum pharmacists looking for DPPs. The committee expressed interest in the Teach and Treat pilot which was carried out in Devon to increase initiative for DPP access.
Locums mentioned unrelenting service pressures as the winter season approaches with performing an increasing number of flu and Covid-19 vaccines, which now include 2-to 3-year-olds in addition to all other private services, Patient group Directions (PGDs), Pharmacy First Services and Responsible Pharmacist (RP) responsibilities, often in unfamiliar surroundings and sometimes under pressure from non-pharmacist staff too. In some cases, locums are denied bookings if they are not trained to deliver vaccinations.
Matters raised by individuals and groups of members which are discussed at regional level are reported to the National Executive Committee (NEC), where PDA Union policy is set. Along with thousands of cases supported by the PDA each year, member surveys and other sources of information, the regional committees help the PDA keep up to date with what is happening across all areas of practice.
Members needing support with issues at their workplace should contact the PDA Member Support Centre, while wider concerns about developments or trends in pharmacy can be shared with the local Regional Committee.
The Regional Committees are part of the PDA’s democratic structure and are formed to represent members’ views.
There will be elections for Regional Committee members in the new year, with those elected serving until 2031.
Get involved
- Keep an eye out for the elections for Regional Committee members in the new year as well as upcoming PDA events.
Learn more
- Who’s eligible for the 2025 Covid-19 vaccine, or ‘Autumn Booster’?
- More than one-quarter of NHS trusts and boards do not provide protected learning time in job plans for hospital pharmacists
- Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy First Service
- Enabling pharmacist flexibilities when dispensing medicines
- Case Study: Devon
- PDA Regional Committees
- PDA Organisational Structure
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