Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support, Danielle Hunt receiving a cheque from PDA Chairman, Mark Koziol. Image dated 20 January 2026.
The donation follows a pledge to contribute £2 for every new and renewing PDA member, rather than the usual £1 per member, between 15 April and 14 May. This demonstrated the PDA’s continued commitment to supporting pharmacists, not only through professional defence, but also through meaningful charitable action which can provide additional benefits for pharmacists.
Responding to the realities of pharmacy practice
The campaign reflects the pressures faced across the profession. Drawing on its experience of delivering more than 80,000 episodes of support, the PDA highlights that most pharmacists will encounter a significant professional challenge during their careers.
These challenges can arise unexpectedly and range from regulatory investigations and patient complaints to workplace disputes, often placing considerable stress on individuals.
The scale and nature of these issues can be illustrated by the PDA’s data seen below:
Collectively, these figures highlight the breadth of support required across the profession, from legal defence and regulatory representation to workplace advocacy and compensation for pharmacists paid to them by employers who have treated them unlawfully or harshly.
Beyond legal defence: supporting wellbeing
While legal and defence strategy expertise is critical, the PDA recognises that the impact of these cases goes beyond professional resolution. Pharmacists can be mentally broken by their experience, particularly when facing prolonged investigations or difficult working conditions.
This understanding underpins the PDA’s longstanding partnership with Pharmacist Support, the profession’s independent charity. By working together, the organisations provide complementary services that address both the legal and emotional aspects of professional challenges.
What £4,270 raised in this campaign will deliver
This will translate directly into support for pharmacists, trainees and pharmacy students facing challenging circumstances.
According to Pharmacist Support, this level of funding can provide:
- Around 85 specialist counselling sessions for those experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety or bereavement.
- Up to 14 urgent financial grants to pharmacists facing unexpected hardship.
- Mental health and financial support for pharmacy students under pressure from studies, exams or living costs.
These services can make a significant difference. Counselling support can help pharmacists regain confidence, manage workplace pressures and return safely to practice, while financial assistance provides immediate relief during times of crisis.
In many cases, these interventions prevent individuals from reaching breaking point, offering essential early support when it is most needed.
A wider benefit for patients and the profession
The PDA emphasises that supporting individual pharmacists has a broader impact. By helping pharmacists maintain their wellbeing and remain in practice, these services also:
- Support patient safety
- Reduce absence from the workforce
- Enable safe return-to-work pathways
- Strengthen the resilience of the profession.
As highlighted by Pharmacist Support, supporting one pharmacist can have far-reaching effects for patients, families and the future of healthcare delivery.
PDA continues a strong tradition of giving – with more than £350,000 already donated
This latest donation builds on the PDA’s long-established charitable commitment. Through its ongoing contribution of £1 per member each year, the organisation has already donated over £350,000, making it the largest institutional supporter of this important pharmacy charity.
By linking this additional campaign to the 185-year milestone, the PDA has reinforced the importance of collective action within the profession, demonstrating how member contributions can deliver tangible outcomes for colleagues in need.
Read what pharmacists have to say about the support they have received from Pharmacist Support by clicking here.
Read what PDA members have to say about the support they have received from the PDA by clicking here.
Learn more
- Pharmacist Support
- How we’ve helped others
- PDA’s work with charity partner Pharmacist Support
- PDA is doubling donations to Pharmacist Support until 15 May
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.