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 first round of Regional Committee meetings in 2026.
Across all the Regional Committee meetings, members debated the changes regarding pre-checked and bagged prescriptions, which came into effect from 7 January 2026. PDA indemnity covers the new regulations, and members are advised to familiarise themselves with the PDA’s advice and the regulation itself to uphold patient safety.
Members welcomed the latest benefits which have been included in PDA membership. This comprises of up to ten days of financial support, allowing pharmacists to take more time off work for recovery after a violent attack, as well as financial support enabling members to attend a series of tests and a lump sum contribution in the event of contracting hepatitis or HIV following needlestick injury at work.
The Regional Committees valued that the PDA has recently joined two alliances. The first being Together Alliance, which is a new coalition of over 50+ campaigns, organisations, and civil society groups, alongside thousands of everyday people, united against the division of the far right. The second is Health Equals, which is a coalition of over 100 organisations that want to make a positive difference to UK society’s health and wellbeing. The PDA is affiliated with several wider groups because, just as individuals achieve more by joining together as the PDA, we can achieve even more by working together with other groups working for the same objectives. Members are encouraged to get involved in the upcoming events related to the Together Alliance.
Members were also prompted to complete the PDA’s 2026 Safer Pharmacies Survey. With the disturbing rise in violence, theft, and physical assault directed at pharmacy teams across the UK, the PDA has launched its ninth survey, and all employed and locum pharmacists are invited to take part.
Additionally, they discussed the current Regional PDA elections, as committee members are elected every five years in accordance with the union rules.
Some of the other issues discussed at the Regional Committee meetings included:
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
Maurice Hickey, PDA Head of Policy for Scotland and a PDA Ability Network member, attended the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Disabled Workers’ conference and seconded motions from the Musicians’ Union on disabled freelancers and from Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) on the impacts of AI.
Both community and locum members drew attention to increased pressure to complete large numbers of Advanced Clinical Checks. Additionally, locums raised the issue of continued low rates.
The PDA has secured NHS Staff Side recognition in Scotland and wants to ensure members are represented effectively in all areas of the NHS. Any members interested in becoming a PDA Rep are invited to get in touch by emailing [email protected].
PDA Reps at the GP Federation in Northern Ireland also recently met with the employers to discuss pay and other matters raised by members.
Northern England
In community, members noted that the level of abuse from patients is still a concern, as well as workforce pressures and targets, all of which are impacting on stress in the workplace.
From 17 to 22 December 2025, resident doctors in the British Medical Association (BMA) took industrial action in the hospital sector, and so the committee discussed the impact of the strike on workload.
Wales, West England and the Channel Isles
In Wales ,in community, pharmacists with Independent Prescribing (IP) reported that there was increasing pressure at weekends due to the demand for services. Pharmacists in England on the NHS Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme similarly mentioned the same issue. The Regional Committee highlighted the importance of the two-pharmacist model which the PDA advocates.
In the hospital sector, healthcare professionals are awaiting the announcement around NHS pay and there is increasing frustration from unions, including the PDA, about the process of the Pay Review Body. On top of this, members are still concerned about the increase in GPhC fees. One member reported the upcoming closure of the aseptic unit in their hospital, which will impact on services and patient care.
In primary care, members raised their ongoing concerns around the restructuring in Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Commissioning Support Unit closures (CSUs), and NHS England (NHSE) being merged into the Department of Health and Social Care. One member reported that in their cluster, 400 jobs would be lost. The PDA continues to support members facing redundancy. Members who are affected by the changes are advised to read the PDA redundancy guide and to contact the PDA Member Support Centre.
Locums drew attention to continued low rates.
Southeast England
In primary care, members noted that pharmacist prescribers are increasingly being asked to sign Shared Care Agreements and Patient Specific Directions for vaccinations delivered by Health Care Assistants. Traditionally both of these activities would have been done by a GP, but pressure is now being put on pharmacists to take this responsibility. Members should ensure they are practising within their competence and contact the PDA Member Support Centre if they have any concerns.
Locums working in community raised the ongoing issues of being asked to provide both NHS and private services with no increase in hourly rate, as well as the continued suppression of locum rates.
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 the local Regional Committee.
The Regional Committees are part of the PDA’s democratic structure and are formed to represent members’ views.
Elections are currently being held for Regional Committee members, with those elected serving from April 2026 until March 2031.
Get involved
Learn more
- From 7 January 2026 the law changes regarding pre-checked and bagged prescriptions
- PDA to provide support in the event of violence in pharmacy
- PDA to provide support in the event of needlestick injury
- PDA Union joins the Together Alliance
- PDA becomes a supporter of Health Equals
- How safe is your workplace? PDA invites pharmacists to take part in the 2026 Safer Pharmacies Survey
- Resident doctors on strike – what to do when faced with an industrial action picket line
- PDA provides ongoing support to ICB, CSU and NHSE members
- PDA redundancy guide launched following events to support members
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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.