Welcome to a new era
There’s something about September that always feels like a fresh start. Maybe it’s the back-to-school energy, or the sense of momentum that comes with the final stretch of the year. It’s a season of transformation, just like pharmacy today.
For those of you just beginning your pharmacy journey, or stepping into new roles, it’s a moment full of possibility. And that’s exactly what the PDA Summer School is about: possibility.
As Director of Pharmacy, I’ve had the privilege of seeing our profession evolve in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first started out. But what excites me most isn’t just the innovation or the policy shifts, it’s the people. It’s you. The students, trainees, and early career pharmacists who are stepping into a profession that’s more dynamic, more diverse, and more essential than ever before.
Preparing for my online lecture as part of the PDA Summer School 2025 reminded me that the future of pharmacy isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we create.
I remember my own early days in pharmacy vividly. I was fresh out of OSPAP, full of enthusiasm and slightly terrified. I didn’t know then that my journey would take me through Boots, Whitworth, the NPA, LPCs, and eventually into leadership. But I did know one thing, I wanted to make a difference. And that feeling hasn’t changed.
The pharmacy landscape is shifting, and you’re part of it
Let’s be honest: pharmacy hasn’t always been known for rapid change. But that’s no longer the case.
Pharmacy today is almost unrecognisable from what it was when I started my career. Back then, the idea of pharmacists prescribing, leading clinics, or shaping digital health strategies felt like a distant dream. Now? It’s our reality.
At the FIP Congress in Copenhagen, I saw pharmacists from around the world doing incredible things – running liver care clinics, prescribing antibiotics in pilot programmes, using AI to triage patients. And the UK? We’re being looked to as a model.
These global innovations mirror the energy and ideas we’ve seen at the PDA Summer School. But with recognition comes responsibility. We need to make sure we’re not just expanding our roles – we’re doing it safely, ethically, and with the right support. That’s where education, leadership, and community come in.
Adaptability is our superpower
At this year’s Summer School, we’ve been talking about the chameleon. It’s more than a quirky mascot; it’s a metaphor for what pharmacy needs right now: adaptability.
The chameleon doesn’t resist change, it becomes it. And that’s exactly what we need to do.
We’re living in a time where AI is helping us make clinical decisions, 3D printers are producing personalised medicines, and wearables are turning patients into active participants in their own care. These aren’t futuristic ideas, they’re happening now.
Pharmacy isn’t just reacting to these changes. We’re part of them. We’re co-creating the future of pharmaceutical care and holistic healthcare.
The first licensed 3D-printed tablet (known as a ‘printlet’) in the US was in 2015. No doubt this was a catalyst for change. Personalised medicine is no longer a concept, it’s a reality. And pharmacists are right at the centre of it.
So, ask yourself: what colours do you need to wear to thrive in this new landscape? What skills, what mindset, what vision?
AI: Not a threat, a tool in our pharmacy toolbox
Let’s talk about AI for a moment. I know it can feel intimidating, like it’s going to take over our jobs. But here’s the truth: AI doesn’t replace pharmacists. It empowers us.
In my own practice, I’ve seen how AI can flag high-risk patients, automate routine tasks, and even help with stock forecasting. It’s also supporting patients directly through chatbots, reminders, and digital consultations.
Across the NHS, GPs are using AI to transcribe consultations and generate structured notes. Pharmacy is next, and we need to be ready. We must not only adopt these tools, we must shape their development to reflect our values and priorities.
AI will give us sharper tools, better insights, and more time to do what we do best: care for people.
Sustainability: More than a buzzword
“There is no health without planetary health.” That quote from the WHO has stuck with me.
As pharmacists, we’re not just stewards of medicines, we’re stewards of systems. And that includes the environment we operate in.
From manufacturing to disposal, the pharmaceutical lifecycle has a significant environmental footprint. And as climate change becomes a public health emergency, we can’t afford to ignore it.
I’ve seen some brilliant initiatives recently: inhaler recycling schemes, crash trolley rationalisation, medicines waste reduction in care homes. These aren’t just good for the planet, they’re good for patients.
And deprescribing? It’s one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s not about doing less, it’s about doing what matters most. I’ve had conversations with patients where simplifying their regimen changed their lives. Less confusion, fewer side effects, better outcomes. Combine that with 3D printing and you also get better compliance and concordance.
Sustainability isn’t just a side project. Sustainability isn’t just good practice; it’s a moral imperative for healthcare professionals.
Leadership isn’t a title, it’s a mindset
One of the biggest myths in pharmacy is that leadership is something you grow into later in your career. I disagree.
Leadership is a mindset. It’s how you show up, how you support others, how you advocate for change.
Whether you’re a student mentoring a peer, a locum bringing fresh ideas into new settings, or a newly qualified pharmacist leading a service redesign, you’re already leading.
And the evidence backs it up. Transformational leadership improves wellbeing, reduces burnout, and boosts performance. It creates cultures of purpose, resilience, and innovation.
So don’t wait for permission to lead. Start now. As one Summer School participant said, “Leadership is what you do when no one’s watching.”
Education is a lifelong strategy
Education doesn’t stop when you graduate. In fact, that’s when the real learning begins.
Today’s pharmacy education is more immersive, more personalised, and more connected than ever before. We’re seeing:
- AI-powered platforms that adapt to your learning style
- VR labs where you can immerse yourself into clinical scenarios safely
- Innovation labs where students co-create solutions to real-world problems
And it’s not just about clinical knowledge. It’s about building careers that span digital health, policy development, global health, and beyond.
I’ve always believed in portfolio careers because they give you flexibility, resilience, and room to grow. Whether you’re in practice, education, research, or advocacy—there’s space for you.
Equity and inclusion: Designing for everyone
Pharmacy is one of the most trusted professions in the UK. But trust must be earned—and that means making sure our systems, services, and technologies work for everyone.
That includes:
- Designing digital tools that are accessible to all
- Ensuring clinical trials reflect the diversity of our communities
- Creating leadership pathways that are inclusive and equitable
The PDA’s EDI Networks are doing incredible work in this space – providing platforms for women, ethnic minority pharmacists, disabled pharmacists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to campaign for change.
True inclusion means recognising the intersections of identity and ensuring every voice is heard.
If you’re not already involved, consider joining or becoming an ally. Because equity isn’t just a value, it’s a strategy for better care.
Final thoughts: This is your moment
The question isn’t whether pharmacy is changing. It’s how we choose to show up in that change.
The NHS 10-Year Plan places pharmacy at the heart of healthcare transformation. From genomics and personalised medicine to sustainability and digital therapeutics, our roles are expanding, and our skills are essential.
So, here’s my message to you: Be bold. Be curious. Be ready to lead.
Because the future of pharmacy isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we create.
So, how will you help shape the pharmacy of tomorrow?
By Jay Badenhorst, PDA Director of Pharmacy
Get involved
Learn more
- PDA EDI Networks
- Is the government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England fit for the future?
- Recognising excellence, representing members: Reflections from the House of Lords
- The expanding role of pharmacists and pharmacies in public health – and why they are being let down
- One in three pharmacists now Independent Prescribers – A significant milestone, but challenges persist
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