The fifth meeting of the Equalities Council, held in December 2025, reviewed the work of the EDI Networks over the last year and looked ahead to 2026.
Both the PDA LGBT+ and Ability Networks held elections this year. PDA LGBT+ Network President, Adam Somerville said, “I was very pleased to attend the fifth PDA Equalities Council meeting. The range of work being done by all the equalities networks to improve the experiences of pharmacists was extremely impressive. We discussed recent legal cases being fought by the PDA, relevant changes in law, policy and employment, and our aims for the year ahead. Speaking to the other network presidents has given me lots of inspiration for work that can be done with the LGBT+ network to grow our community. I look forward to working with the Equalities Council in future.”
Last year the PDA LGBT+ Network attended Manchester Pride for the fourth year in a row. They also responded to the NHS consultation around the proposed changes to the Gender Identity Services for children and young people, following a network meeting during which they gathered member feedback.
PDA Ability Network President, Jyoti Buxani said, “Coming together with colleagues at the PDA Equalities Council meeting on 9 December 2025 enabled the four equality networks to discuss progress and highlights within each network, celebrating successes, discussing challenges experienced and thoughts on how we can work together, to raise awareness amongst pharmacy professionals, for the forthcoming year and beyond. This was the first Equalities Council meeting that I have attended as President of the PDA Ability Network and I feel encouraged, standing side by side with the other Presidents to work together, to highlight important key messages within the workforce, and the importance of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association.”
The PDA Ability Network has continued its Standing Up for Siting Down campaign in 2025, which received coverage in The Pharmacist. The network also recently published a factsheet on neurodiversity.
Following concerns raised by members, the PDA BAME Network wrote to Sir Keir Starmer following his comments around the Immigration White Paper and received a response. Similarly, following member feedback, the network commented on the flag displays. At a network event in November, racism at work was a central theme, and one member praised the support they had received from the PDA. In addition, Sade Abiola, PDA Workplace Representative and PDA BAME Network member, attended the STUC Black Workers’ conference.
The PDA Ability and PDA BAME Networks responded to the government’s disability and ethnicity pay gap consultation. Jyoti Buxani and Sade Abiola also represented the networks at an Inclusive Pharmacy Practice week event, which focused on dismantling racism, harassment, bullying and discrimination in the workplace.
The PDA Ability, BAME and LGBT+ Networks all celebrated their 5 year anniversary in 2025, while the PDA NAWP Network celebrated 120 years. A key highlight of the NAWP Network calendar was the in-person International Women’s Day (IWD) event, at which Taiwo Owatemi MP gave the keynote speech. Members continued their support for the charity Breast Cancer Now, raising money for the fifth year in a row through the Wear It Pink campaign. A delegation of NAWP members also attended the annual European Women Pharmacists’ Meeting which was held in Vienna in 2025.
PDA Legal Advisor, Mathew Zamyslianskyj attended the meeting as a guest speaker and provided a legal update around equalities. First, he provided an overview of the latest on the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill as well as insight into a couple of LGBT+ related cases in the education and health sectors which have attracted media attention. Second, he spoke about trends in PDA casework, which included a continued increase in disability related cases, especially around neurodivergence.
Matty said, “I enjoyed attending the meeting to provide an update on Employment Law through this year and providing some examples of some of the important cases that the PDA Employment Team has taken on in 2025 to support members. There have been some key case developments this year with equalities, and the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the potential impacts on our membership.”
Anjlee Shah, the PDA Union’s Assistant General Secretary for Equalities, said, “I valued the opportunity to attend the PDA Equalities Council and hear Network Presidents reflect on the past year’s achievements alongside a shared vision for the future. It was insightful to meet fellow PDA EDI Network leaders, exchange experiences, and celebrate the meaningful progress and impact achieved across the networks. The update on the legal landscape and key equality cases was particularly valuable, helping to inform and shape our thinking as we look ahead. Above all, the Council reinforced the importance of continued collaboration across networks as we build on this momentum and work together towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.”
In 2026, members of the networks will march at an event with the Together Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 organisations and campaigns united against the division fostered by the far right. Those interested in attending should look out for information closer to the time.
In the meantime, the networks encourage members to get in touch if they have ideas for future work by emailing [email protected].
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- PDA LGBT+ Network marches at Manchester Pride 2025
- NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service Specification
- It’s Time to Address Discrimination: Standing up for Sitting Down
- Are pharmacists with a disability able to work?
- PDA Ability Network launches Neurodiversity factsheet
- Sir Keir Starmer responds to the PDA BAME Network’s letter regarding the Immigration White Paper
- PDA BAME Network comments on flag displays linked to the ‘Raise the Colours’ campaign
- PDA Rep represents pharmacists at the STUC Black Workers’ Conference 2025
- PDA responds to disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting
- PDA supports Inclusive Pharmacy Practice Week 2025
- Celebrating 5 years of the PDA EDI Networks
- 120 years of empowering women in pharmacy
- Celebrating 120 years of the PDA NAWP Network
- NAWP invites pharmacists to take part in Wear it Pink 2025
- NAWP attends the 19th European Women Pharmacists Meeting in Vienna
- PDA Union joins the Together Alliance
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