Membership numbers of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association have reached record levels, attendees at the 2023 annual meeting were told on June 29.

As at 31 March the pharmacist-only body had 36,806 members, up 7 per cent (an additional 2,296 members) 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, with more than 10,000 members, the PDA has an obligation to publish independently certified membership figures.

PDA director Paul Day said: “Though we now have a significant number of members, we’ve still got space for many more. Any pharmacy student, trainee pharmacist, and employed or locum pharmacist who has not yet joined is encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

“Joining the PDA is not just about the benefits and protections each member receives, with more pharmacists acting collectively as the PDA the profession in the UK gains a stronger voice nationally and internationally too.”