The PDA has been the largest UK pharmacists’ membership organisation for several years and it continues to grow. The latest published membership figures are for the year ending 31 March 2022 and show membership is at a highest-ever figure of 34,510 members, having increased by a further 6% since the same time last year.
The PDA provides membership data annually to the Certification Officer, the government body that regulates trade unions and employer organisations. In addition, as a trade union with more than 10,000 members, the PDA has an obligation to publish independently certified membership figures, and so these membership numbers are also externally audited before being reported.
PDA Union General Secretary, John Murphy said: “The PDA Union has existed for fourteen years and the PDA for several years more, so we have reached the point where we now see a good number of members complete their career and retire each year, which was not something that happened in the early days of PDA. Despite that, total active membership has grown again by more than another 1,900 ( a 6% increase) taking us to another record level.
The confidence shown in the PDA by pharmacists gives an indication of how the PDA is needed and valued by the profession. I encourage any individual employed or locum pharmacist who has not yet joined the PDA, to do so as soon as possible.”
The PDA now has more than 22,000 women members which broadly reflects the profile of the profession at 64% of the membership. The PDA reiterates it’s call to members to confidentially disclose other diversity data about themselves so that the organisation can understand if any groups are under represented among membership.
PDA Director, Paul Day added: “We value each of our existing members and their contribution to the achievements of pharmacists working together as a trade union. By contributing their membership, each individual helps ensure the PDA is there when a member needs support and that the PDA can stand up for the profession, and patient safety, overall.
Though the PDA has grown significantly in both size and range of activity, and it is already making a significant difference for the profession, there is still much more to be done and we have space and a welcome for any employed or locum pharmacist who hasn’t yet joined us, to do so.
By working together as the PDA, members are able to help the voice of individual pharmacists be heard across the UK, to get involved in campaigns and networks, to have an independent voice at work and collectively challenge the dominance of employers and their representative organisations. Members can access PDA Education and the many other PDA member benefits, to protect their individual reputation and interests should they be involved in a dispute at work or need representation, and much more.
The PDA is a proudly anti-racist organisation and opposes all forms of discrimination. Working nationally, across the UK, and internationally the PDA was created by pharmacists for pharmacists.
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