Lola Dabiri
President of the PDA BAME Network, locum pharmacist, and Welfare & Scotland Lead, United Kingdom Black Pharmacist Association (UKBPA)
Lola commenced practice as a pharmacist in the UK in the year 2000. Lola has since obtained her qualification as an independent pharmacist prescriber and helped support other pharmacists in their IP training as a Designated Pharmacist Practitioner. (DPP). Lola also has an MBA and is a member of the British Lifestyle Medicine Society. She currently works as a locum pharmacist across the hospital and community sectors.
Lola said, “Firstly, I am proud to be associated with the PDA as I have closely observed its efforts to not only defend but also advocate for and empower pharmacists. Secondly, I am deeply passionate about promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the pharmacy profession, especially for the BAME community. Being from a BAME background, I understand the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the workplace and I have experienced a fair share of these. These challenges, such as limitations to career progression, unequal access to opportunities, and facing unconscious bias, not only affect individuals but in my opinion, also impact the entire society. I am committed to helping alleviate these. I think advocating for necessary actions and changes to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for BAME pharmacists to be their best selves and continue to contribute brilliantly to society at large is a worthy cause.”
Ewura-Adjoa Yamoah
Vice President of the PDA BAME Network, PDA Student Rep, and pharmacy student at The University of Nottingham
Ewura-Adjoa’s involvement with the PDA began as a PDA Student Rep where she worked closely with the PDA Student Organising Assistant to address concerns from her peers regarding the changes to the MPharm degree. Ewura-Adjoa provided feedback to the PDA and helped to maintain strong relationships with her university’s Pharmacy Society. This allowed her to contribute to events such as this year’s Freshers’ Fair, further spreading awareness of the PDA’s work. Ewura-Adjoa’s participation in conferences and events has further demonstrated her commitment to the PDA.
Ewura-Adjoa said, “As a BAME individual, I recognise that racial discrimination is a pressing issue for many members. My passion for education and awareness drives me to challenge negative stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment. As a student, I can bring valuable insights from the ongoing MPharm reforms and my placement experiences. Additionally, my work in community pharmacy during Summer 2024 has allowed me to relate to many network members’ experiences.
As Vice President, I aim to focus on listening to members and implementing their ideas, working collaboratively with the President and Honorary Secretary to ensure the network runs smoothly, and addresses the needs of the network’s members.”
Okereke Oluomachi Yvonne
Honorary Secretary of the PDA BAME Network and clinical pharmacist
Since joining the PDA in July 2023, Yvonne has enthusiastically participated in various initiatives, including serving as a PDA Trainee Rep and engaging in the PDA’s EDI Networks. Yvonne has a valuable insight into the unique challenges faced by Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic pharmacists and has been able to advocate for their interests and promoting inclusion within the profession. As a co-opted member of the PDA NAWP Network committee, Yvonne has taken on leadership roles in organising events and also contributed to PDA BAME Network events.
Yvonne said, “I am honoured to be elected for the position of Honorary Secretary for the PDA BAME Network. As an active member of the PDA and a committed advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, I believe my experiences have prepared me to effectively lead and advance the vital work of the BAME Network.
I am passionate about creating a pharmacy profession that embraces diversity and inclusion at every level and I believe that with my experience, dedication, and vision, that I can help the PDA BAME Network to achieve its goals.”
Elsy Gomez Campos
Elsy has over 20 years of experience as a pharmacist in the independent sector and the NHS. She is a leading voice on racism within pharmacy and the author of ‘Racism in Pharmacy: Deprescribing a Hushed Reality.’ Elsy also serves as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant at UCL Global Business School for Health, where she completed an MBA and is currently pursuing a PhD. Elsy’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion led her to found the UK Black Pharmacists Association (UKBPA). Through her Churchill Fellowship, Elsy will travel internationally to explore how different countries are addressing racism in pharmacy through policy development, support systems and cultural change initiatives.
Elsy said, “I have proven leadership qualifications and records that allow me to represent members of the BAME PDA Network well. My promise is to make every voice heard and deliver lasting and tangible changes that will benefit us all.”
Nav Bhogal
Co-opted member of the PDA BAME Committee and Boots UK pharmacist
Nav serves as a PDA Union National Representative at Boots UK and is the Chair and Regional Representative for the PDA Union Southeast Regional Committee. Additionally, he has been a co-opted member of the PDA BAME Network since its inception. With extensive experience as a pharmacist, leader, and PDA Union Representative, Nav is deeply committed to addressing the challenges of inequality faced by colleagues in pharmacy.
Driven by a passion for tackling inequality, Nav has developed factsheets for the PDA BAME Network and also proposed an anti-racism motion at the Biennial General Council Meeting of the General Federation of Trade Unions. His dedication to promoting equity in pharmacy is further demonstrated by his article in Chemist & Druggist, which explored the racial undertones in the language of pharmacy.
Nav Said, “To achieve true inclusivity, we must actively challenge bias wherever it exists.”
Erica Hammond
Co-opted member of the PDA BAME Committee and community pharmacist
Erica said “I’m a community pharmacist, and I became involved with PDA Union, particularly in advocating for BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) healthcare workers, because I am deeply committed to tackling inequalities in our profession. As a BAME pharmacist, I have seen and experienced some of the challenges that come with navigating a healthcare system that isn’t always equitable. It’s essential that we not only ensure patients receive equal care but also address the disparities and barriers faced by pharmacists and other healthcare workers from BAME backgrounds. Being involved in PDA Union allows me to work towards a more inclusive and fair environment for all pharmacists, ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities, support, and recognition in their career, regardless of their ethnic background.”
Related links
- Meet the newly elected PDA BAME Committee 2022
- Elsy Gomez Campos elected as the first President of the BAME Pharmacists’ Network
Get Involved
- Follow the PDA BAME Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAbame
- For more information about the PDA BAME Network, click here.
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, please email: [email protected]
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.