In either case, the subsequent foundation trainee year is the final step on the journey to becoming a registered pharmacist in the United Kingdom.
The PDA is here to offer members support and advice during the Foundation Year Training and throughout their pharmacy career.
The PDA is the only independent membership organisation and leadership body for employed and locum pharmacists working across any healthcare setting, including GP practice, community, hospitals, health boards and prisons, as well as students and trainees studying to become pharmacists in the UK. The PDA and its networks provide pharmacists and students with advice, indemnity insurance, legal defence support, trade union representation, education opportunities, events, and networking.
The PDA’s mission is to ensure members have the protection, support, and encouragement needed to succeed. For trainee pharmacists, PDA membership is completely free.
PDA membership is free to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and in the first three months of being newly registered. Most trainee pharmacists are PDA members. If you are not already a member, please join us for free and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
Find out what you get for your membership here.
Key reasons to join the PDA
1. PDA Education
PDA members can access professional development activities (CPD), free webinars, conferences, and events to support members. For trainees, workshops and courses include, ‘How to thrive in your trainee year’, ‘Getting the best from your relationship with your supervisor’, ‘Guide to the registration assessment’, live calculations events, and the PDA Revision Assessment Programme.
2. Professional advice
The PDA was created by pharmacists for pharmacists, and is run by experienced pharmacists, trade unionists, legal professionals and office support staff. The PDA is here to give you independent support and advice when you need it most.
3. Supporting safe practice
The PDA advocates on behalf of pharmacists and pharmacy students, lobbying government and key stakeholders to increase the profession’s influence. The more members the PDA has, the stronger the collective voice becomes. The PDA engages in regular meetings with senior NHS and government representatives as well as other pharmacy organisations, amplifying the voice of employed and locum pharmacists across every UK nation.
4. PDA Union membership
The PDA plays a unique role in supporting pharmacists, pharmacy students, and foundation trainees through union representation, education, and professional networks. When pharmacists are empowered to have a strong voice in their workplaces and across the profession, they can deliver the high-quality care they aspire to provide.
5. Enhanced Indemnity benefits
PDA membership includes professional indemnity and legal defence costs insurance, which is provided by specialist underwriters and arranged by the Pharmacy Insurance Agency; a specialist insurance broker which is registered with and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Membership also provides access to lawyers and pharmacist advisors, and automatic membership of the PDA Union. If you want any advice or support, you don’t need to feel alone and isolated; you can contact the PDA Member Support Centre.
6. Health and well-being
The PDA donates £1 per year for each member to Pharmacist Support. The donation allows the charity to support pharmacists, students, and trainees who have run into problems with their health or wellbeing. The PDA even donates £1 for students and trainees who join the PDA for FREE. This makes the PDA the biggest, regular donor to this important charity, with more than £40,000 being donated annually. The PDA encourages you to use their services where necessary.
Download our trainee pharmacist flyer
