The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has appointed Jay Badenhorst to the newly created post of director of pharmacy. Badenhorst joins the PDA from his role as managing director of Whitworth Chemists and vice chair of the National Pharmacy Association.

The PDA says it created the new position in response to its growing membership and the increasing need to influence the evolving healthcare landscape at a time of significant change and challenge for pharmacists.

Mark Koziol, chair of the PDA, says, “Jay comes to the PDA as a senior level, proven pharmacy leader. He is well known and familiar with the workings of the NHS, government and the pharmacy political landscape. His leadership expertise will deliver additional perspectives and greater capacity to the existing PDA leadership team.”

The PDA currently has around 38,000 members.