VACCINATIONS: All vaccinations delivered by suitably trained pharmacists have always been covered by indemnity insurance as part of the standard PDA membership apart from Covid-19. For new membership renewals after January 1st, 2026, Covid-19 vaccinations are now also automatically covered.

Home  »   Latest News • Insight   »   Insight Online – August 2025

Insight Online – August 2025

This month, we announce new membership options with Independent Prescribing (IP) extensions, launch the next steps of the "Medicines To" initiative, and reveal the initial findings of our latest P medicines member survey. Also, read Sir Keir Starmer's response to the PDA BAME Network's letter and find out about our exciting new Emerging Leaders Programme!

Thu 28th August 2025 The PDA

In this issue:

  • Potential redundancies in ICBs, CSUs and NHSE
  • New PDA membership options with Independent Prescribing Extension now available!
  • Pharmacists urged to support ‘Medicines To Gaza’ initiative on World Humanitarian Day 
  • PDA Plus benefit helped members claim almost £23,000 in overpaid tax
  • Have you got the right PDA membership following the June 2025 assessment? 
  • Sir Keir Starmer responds to the PDA BAME Network’s letter regarding the Immigration White Paper
  • Pharmacists reassert their opposition to facilitated self-selection of P-medicines in PDA survey amid safety concerns
  • Latest news
  • PDA launches Emerging Leader Programme
  • PDA Education Summer School: Last few sessions still available
  • PDA Plus September essentials
  • Are your details up-to-date?

Potential redundancies in ICBs, CSUs and NHSE

With the announcement in March of 50% cuts to ICBs, the closures of Commissioning support Units (CSU) and the abolition of NHSE, we are aware that many of our members are facing lots of change and uncertainty about their futures.

Most recently, we have seen a flurry of individual enquiries about voluntary redundancy (VR), as some ICBs have been asking for expressions of interest for VR. However, at the time of writing, there is still no indication that any central government funding will be available for VR in ICBs, and therefore, there is no guarantee that there will be VR available. As a union, whenever there is a large redundancy situation, we will always advocate for a round of VR before any compulsory redundancies are made.
LEARN MORE

New PDA membership options with Independent Prescribing Extension now available!

Effective from 12 pm on 20 August 2025, pharmacists working in hospital or community settings can access the PDA’s Independent Prescribing (IP) extension as part of their PDA membership!

This level of membership is intended for pharmacists who will be practising as Independent Prescribers (IPs) with the ability to make Differentiated Diagnoses in support of an NHS National or Locally Commissioned Service.

PDA members asked. The PDA listened. The PDA delivered.

Many of our valued members have expressed that they wanted the IP extension to be available as part of hospital and community membership. We are delighted to say that it’s now here!
LEARN MORE

Pharmacists urged to support ‘Medicines To Gaza’ initiative on World Humanitarian Day

With support from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), Pharmacy Magazine, and Independent Community Pharmacist Magazine, Medicines To Gaza posters are arriving in pharmacies across the UK.

Medicines To Gaza, the next step for the ‘Medicines To…’ initiative is now formally live, with the poster element of the campaign now being launched in the UK.

Over the next couple of weeks, pharmacies across the UK will be receiving A3 posters with copies of the Pharmacy Magazine or the Independent Community Pharmacist Magazine to display in their pharmacies.
LEARN MORE

PDA Plus benefit helped members claim almost £23,000 in overpaid tax

The Tax Refund Company is a PDA Plus partner and has helped employed members recover over £23,000 in overpaid tax in the last 9 years after finding HMRC had given them the wrong tax codes.

In the past 2 years, 62% of the PDA members who have completed their employment tax review have got money back from HMRC. The average amount works out at £205 each, although some members have received over £800 from HMRC after using the service provided by the Tax Refund Company (TRC).

Learn more

Have you got the right PDA membership following the June 2025 assessment?

We have membership categories for all students and exam candidates, whatever the outcome and whenever they sat their assessment.In June 2025, trainee pharmacists and some re-sitters sat their assessment exam; the results were announced on Tuesday 29 July 2025.

The PDA has once again reviewed its membership arrangements, adjusted internal systems, and undertook significant work with underwriters to ensure that whether a trainee or a re-sitter, there is a PDA membership policy available for everyone

Learn more

Sir Keir Starmer responds to the PDA BAME Network’s letter

Following the launch of the government’s latest Immigration White Paper and in particular the comments made on 12 May 2025 at the press conference about the risk of the UK becoming “an island of strangers” rather than “a nation that walks forward together,” members of our BAME Network felt it appropriate to add their voices to those expressing concern about some of the narrative used by the UK government.The network covered in their response the potential impact that the comments have on the experience of BAME people living in the UK.

The Prime Minister’s words drew sharp criticism and comparisons to Enoch Powell’s infamous 1968 speech warning that white people would become “strangers in their own country.”

Learn more

Pharmacists reassert their opposition to facilitated self-selection of P-medicines

93% of respondents to the latest PDA survey do not support allowing Pharmacy medicines (P medicines) to be available for so-called facilitated self-selection in community pharmacies. This coincides with national media coverage highlighting increased concerns about shoplifting and aggressive behaviour in pharmacies.

Initial responses to the recent PDA member survey reveal widespread concern amongst pharmacists about the hazards associated with any kind of self-selection of P medicines. These have a higher risk profile than medicines on the general sale list (GSL) and may have stronger or more side effects, or greater potential for patient harm or misuse.

Learn more
Below is a list of the other key news stories that have been published on our website this month:
LEARN MORE

PDA launches Emerging Leaders Programme

We are pleased to launch our first Emerging Leaders Programme for those on the first step to discovering their leadership style and becoming a leader.

Who should attend this programme?This free member-exclusive programme is open to a limited number of students, trainees and early-career pharmacists (those within the first five years after registration).

Programme outline

The programme runs from 7 October 2025 to 31 March 2026. There are four modules in total.

Modules 1 & 2 (8 October – 31 December 2025)
This represents approximately 3 hours of online events and a maximum of 6 – 8 hours of online self-directed learning.

Modules 3 & 4 (20 January – 31 March 2026)
This represents approximately 2.5 hours of online events and a max of 6 – 8 hours of online self-directed learning.

Why attend this programme?

The programme will allow attendees to develop:

  • A clear understanding of different leadership styles
  • A range of leadership skills, including
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Communication
  • Presentation skills
  • Giving feedback
  • Motivating staff
  • A plan to put effective leadership into action
  • An understanding of the need for leadership in pharmacy
  • Thoughts and views on leadership and how they want to lead
  • And more.

We will provide a certificate of attendance once this is complete. The programme is mapped to the GPhC and PSNI standards, which means that for trainees, this can be evidenced against learning outcomes.

Plus

  • Topics will be released fortnightly with a task per fortnight.
  • There will be face-to-face sessions with support from PDA staff
  • There will also be opportunities for peer reviews, discussion activities, and face-to-face networking at online drop-in sessions. Speakers will be invited from the PDA and the wider pharmacy community.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE

PDA Education Summer School: Last few sessions still available

There is still time to enrol in a number of free courses available as part of the PDA Education Summer School. Upcoming sessions can be found below. 

The future of medicines: Emerging and future pharmacy practice
3 September 2025, 7 – 8.30 pm

Working safely and understanding your rights
16 September 2025, 7 – 8.30 pm

Digital conversations that count
22 September 2025, 7 – 8.30 pm

Please visit the events section of our website for further information and to see a full list of our FREE member-exclusive training and events. We will continue to support members throughout their careers.

PDA Plus September essentials

As a PDA member, you can take advantage of exclusive PDA Plus offers and discounts. Whether you’re packing lunchboxes, preparing for university, or getting back into your work routine, PDA Plus has you covered with exclusive savings on all your September essentials.

Be in with a chance to win a £100 Tesco gift card
Boost your back-to-school budget with a chance to win a £100 Tesco gift card — perfect for grabbing uniforms, stationery, groceries, and more. To enter, simply fill out the entry form on PDA Plus by Sunday 31 August 2025. Don’t miss out on this fantastic prize!

Stay connected this year with 15% off Acer Products
Stay connected and productive this year with 15% off a wide range of Acer laptops, monitors, and accessories. Already spotted a sale? Enjoy an additional 5% off select discounted items (offers can’t be combined). Upgrade your tech for study, projects, or virtual learning with Acer’s innovative and reliable products.

Save up to 10% on Apple tech
Prepare for the new term with 2-10% off* a wide range of Apple products, including Apple TV 4K and Beats accessories. Plus, personalise your devices with free engraving on AirPods, iPad, Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), and AirTags — perfect for making your tech truly yours this year.

Save up to 8% on Dell tech 
Exclusive savings on Dell products for students, gamers, and professionals alike:

  • 4% off Dell, Dell Pro, Latitude, Precision & Optiplex Notebooks & Desktops
  • 4% off XPS Laptops and 2-in-1 PCs
  • 4% off Alienware Gaming Laptops and Desktops
  • 4% off G Series Gaming Laptops
  • 4% off Optiplex Desktops and All-In-One
  • 4-6% off Dell Monitors for every workspace
  • 8% off Dell PC and Laptop Accessories
  • 5% off Precision Mobile and Fixed Workstations
  • 6% off Poweredge Servers

Get the right device and accessories to support learning, work, and play.

Save at top supermarkets 
Get ready for the new term with up to 6% off gift cards for Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and M&S. From uniforms and stationery to lunchbox favourites, discounted gift cards help you save on everything you need — whether shopping in-store or online.

Learn more by logging into your PDA Plus account today.
LOG IN TO YOUR PDA PLUS ACCOUNT TODAY

Are your details up-to-date?

We support the needs of individual pharmacists and pharmacy students and, when necessary, defend their reputation. Therefore, it is crucial that we hold your correct details on file to ensure that you stay supported and do not miss out on important information relating to your membership.

Please take a few minutes to check and, if necessary, update your details on our website. If you have more than one employer, please ensure you list each of them.
UPDATE YOUR DETAILS TODAY

 

 

 

 

 

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