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.

Join The PDA - Potential Pharmacist Membership

Following the unfortunate consequences of the fatal peppermint water dispensing error, a Pre-reg and a newly qualified pharmacist faced manslaughter charges.

THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS...

Prior to this, everyone had always thought that pre-registration pharmacists could never be held liable as they were not pharmacists - this case proved that this notion was wrong. It is now clear that Trainees, like pharmacists, are practising in an increasingly regulated and litigious society.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) wasted little time in coming to the support of all preregs and now offers FREE full membership of the PDA - the benefits of which are very wide ranging. If you think that you will never need the support of your own defence association, then now and especially in these uncertain times, it is a good time to think again.

From 2021 "Pre-reg" pharmacists are called "Trainee pharmacists". Trainee pharmacists are on a structured and supervised year. We recognise that there are also MPharm graduates who intend to become a pharmacist but for a variety of reasons may not commence their Trainee year immediately after qualification, or have already completed the year but not yet passed the assessment. We call these individuals "Potential Pharmacists", all are welcome in the PDA and receive the same level of benefits. Both types of membership are FREE.

Join the growing numbers of Trainee and Potential pharmacists who understand the importance of defending their professional reputation, by contacting the PDA today. Many of your Trainee pharmacist colleagues have already realised that carrying their own independent indemnity insurance is a must and preferable to relying on that of their employer. Membership of the PDA however provides much more than that!

WHAT YOU GET FROM YOUR FREE MEMBERSHIP:

  • £5,000,000 of Professional Indemnity Insurance
  • £500,000 of Legal Defence Costs insurance
  • Campaigning to ensure that newly qualified pharmacists and pharmacy students are treated fairly and sensitively through the Covid related changes to the exam regime.
  • Ready access to expert advice from experienced pharmacists and lawyers
  • Taking your side if your employer's actions lead to an error
  • Initiatives to support your training year
  • Specialist risk management articles, newsletters and the PDA website
  • Many more services besides...

DON'T FACE PROBLEMS ALONE.

The PDA is the largest pharmacists membership organsiation in the UK and you need never feel that you are alone whilst you are a PDA member. Our policy teams are busy working to ensure that you are treated properly by the wider system and our experienced pharmacists and lawyers are at the end of a phone to advise you, in the event of any employer related concerns that you may have in this uncertain time. We have supported hundreds of your colleagues over the years when they have been in conflict with the police, their tutor, employer or the Regulator. Risk management is also our speciality. As a member, you can have access to our entire educational portfolio of case studies, publications and articles.

The PDA is the only defence association that has no allegiance to, or conflict of interests with, any employer or employer organisation.

The only interests we serve, are those of our members.

  Join The PDA Today as a Potential Pharmacist   Renew Your PDA Membership as a Potential Pharmacist

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The insurance cover included within all PDA membership levels is placed with reputable underwriters and these arrangements are made by a specialist pharmacy insurance broker called the Pharmacy Insurance Agency Ltd (PIA) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of The Pharmacy Insurance Agency.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.