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The Pharmacists' Defence Association has launched a workforce wellbeing strategy as part of its commitment to support the wellbeing of pharmacists.

The Association plans to launch a series of online and in-person member-exclusive events, delivered as part of a structured and coordinated programme. The programme will include:

• Mental health awareness courses – providing pharmacists with knowledge and strategies to support their own and colleagues’ mental health
• Mental health leadership training – equipping workplace leaders with the skills to foster a positive and supportive environment
• Quarterly forums for mental health workplace champions – facilitating peer support, shared learning, and best practice discussions
• Financial health resilience courses – offering guidance on financial stability.

The PDA says the strategy is “a proactive step towards fostering a positive working environment and ensuring pharmacists have the resources and support they need to navigate the challenges of the profession”.

‘When it comes to wellbeing, pharmacists deserve to see less talk and more action and this is why, each year the PDA already pays £1 of every membership fee to the Pharmacist Support charity,” said Mark Koziol, PDA chairman. “We have a record of backing policy commitments with real action and that is why I am proud to introduce our Workforce Wellbeing Strategy.”

The PDA will be working with partners to deliver the strategy, including Pharmacist Support, The Mental Wealth Academy and PG Mutual.

Danielle Hunt, chief executive at Pharmacist Support, said: “Pharmacist wellbeing must be more than just an aspiration—it needs to be embedded into workplace culture and leadership at every level. We therefore welcome the PDA’s Workforce Wellbeing. As their charity partner, we will be working with them to deliver aspects of this strategy, complementing our existing well-being services.”

Harpreet Chana, CEO of The Mental Wealth Academy, also expressed her commitment to the partnership: ‘I was absolutely delighted to be asked to run a national programme for pharmacy wellbeing by the PDA. As a body that sees the impact of poor wellbeing at the coalface, it is right that they should be leading the charge on helping equip pharmacists and their teams with better self-leadership, self-regulation, and coping skills.”

PG Mutual CEO Andy Elkington said: “We are partnering with PDA to offer guidance and affordable solutions, including discounted income protection. Our goal is to give you the tools and support you need to build financial resilience and improve your overall wellbeing.”

The PDA is inviting other stakeholders to engage in the initiative, and says further information will be provided in due course.