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 during the second round of Regional Committee meetings in 2026.
Across all the Regional Committee meetings, the NHS pay announcement for 2026/27 was discussed, with many expressing disappointment that it is not in line with inflation.
Some of the other issues discussed at the Regional Committee meetings included:
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
In the community sector in Scotland, it was reported that one large multiple was celebrating their locum rates being at their lowest for 8 years. Meanwhile, some pharmacists working there have been asked to complete split shifts, and some stores were short of pharmacists and seeing temporary closures.
Members in Scotland in primary care reported stock issues with Co-codamol 30/500 tablets, which was generating a significant amount of workload for pharmacists, yet those in community and locum reported adequate supplies in pharmacies. In one large Scottish Health Board, there was concern about the employer’s approach around the reduction in the working week and other initiatives in their workplace.
Locums raised concern around the potential additional expenditure needed following changes to the law, which now mean that separate Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) documentation is required for each individual employer, potentially costing £59 per employer.
The PDA has launched the 2026 Scottish Election Manifesto and members are advised to read this. Please note, a Welsh manifesto will follow in due course.
Northern England
In community, members were concerned about the enforcement of targets, leading to unnecessary services being delivered. In some pharmacies where services are being advertised with ‘no appointment needed,’ members noted an increase in violence from patients frustrated by the need to wait. The committee noted the need for 2+ pharmacists per community pharmacy becomes even stronger as more services are made available.
The committee also discussed the potential sale of some Morrisons pharmacies, which may increase the number of independents. Any members affected by changes at Morrisons are advised to contact the PDA Member Support Centre.
In the hospital sector, members debated flexible working and noted that there has been better uptake for adjusted hours compared to previously, but still not for adjusting roles. They reported that pharmacists are still being included on the rota for certain roles and then expected to adjust it themselves, such as being given on-call duties despite the flexible working request being due to childcare commitments on certain days. The reason employers usually give for this is that it is too difficult to coordinate on rotas.
Additionally, they also noted some recent mergers, which they felt were purely to cut costs.
Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
An employed community pharmacist provided positive feedback to the committee, highlighting that their PDA membership was the best money they had ever spent after the PDA supported them to win a case regarding holiday entitlement.
At a large multiple, members drew attention to a conflict-of-interest policy, which prevents them from locuming elsewhere on their days off. In the same multiple, members reported great pressure to become a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). The DPP funding has been relaunched, with a reduced requirement to stay at that employer afterwards.
In primary care, changes to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Commissioning Support Units (CSUs) and NHS England (NHSE) continue, and members affected are advised to contact the PDA Member Support Centre.
At one medium sized multiple, locums raised concerns about new terms and conditions. Stores remain open continuously during the day and locums are required to take a half hour unpaid lunch break but remain signed in as the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) during this time. The reason for doing this appears to be to carry on giving out pre-checked and bagged prescriptions. Any members affected by changes such as these are advised to contact the PDA Member Support Centre. Locums also highlighted ongoing issues with locum rates and avoidable temporary store closures.
The committee debated the wider issue of medicines shortages and the challenges of sourcing alternatives and the knock-on effect on the sector and patient safety. This issue has apparently been brought to the Welsh Affairs Committee in Parliament, with the proposal of a different drug tariff for Wales.
Additionally, the committee discussed trainee rates. In Wales, trainees are employed by the NHS on a flat rate, yet in England trainee rates can vary from £22,000 to £36,000. It was felt that standardisation would be appropriate.
One regional committee member met with their local MP to raise the issue of GPhC fees increasing and their failure to take account of consultations or reduce costs.
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 their local Regional Committee.
The Regional Committees are part of the PDA’s democratic structure and are formed to represent members’ views.
Elections have recently been held for Regional Committee members, with those elected serving from April 2026 until March 2031. The Regional Committee webpages will be updated in due course to reflect changes to the committees.
Those interested in becoming a PDA Rep can find out more by clicking here.
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Learn more
- Regional Committees
- Organisational Structure
- NHS pay announcement 2026/27
- NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff – working week reduction: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment
- PVG Scheme for Community Pharmacy
- PDA launches 2026 Scottish Election Manifesto
- PDA to support pharmacists at Morrisons
- PDA provides ongoing support to ICB, CSU and NHSE members
- From 7 January 2026 the law changes regarding pre-checked and bagged prescriptions
- The RP Regulations 9 months on
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