PDA celebrates the pharmacy LGBTQ+ community
A leading pharmacy body is celebrating the sector's LGBTQ+ staff through a series of initiatives to mark Pride Month this June.
The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) is ‘celebrating’ the LGBTQ+ community within the sector through a series of events, workplace initiatives and volunteering opportunities.
The organisation said it wanted to ‘reinforce pharmacy’s role as an inclusive and caring profession’ and support members advocating for LGBTQ+ issues in their own workplace.
President of the PDA’s LGBTQ+ network, Adam Somerville, said: ‘The PDA plays a critical role in protecting the rights and conditions of pharmacists in the workplace and within the profession.
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‘LGBTQ+ people can face discrimination which we have a right to be protected from. As such, it is important that current LGBTQ+ issues and legislation are considered at an organisational level to protect all our members. We know that the PDA makes us stronger together than we are as individuals.
‘We also wish to empower and support members championing LGBTQ+ issues in their own workplace and safeguard their ability to provide more inclusive services to their patients.’
The PDA said that pharmacy professionals can play an important role in supporting community wellbeing, and that signposting to appropriate services, raising awareness of relevant health resources, and engaging with local initiatives can contribute to better outcomes for LGBT+ people.
A recent survey by Community Pharmacy England (CPE) highlighted the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ pharmacy staff after it revealed reports of discriminatory intimidation from patients.
Incidents of abuse including strangulation, pushing, punching, objects being thrown, and attacks after closing time were uncovered by the survey.
Vice president of the PDA’s LGBTQ+ network and medical advisor for pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim, Dr Josh Wells, noted the ‘limited visibility' of LGBTQ+ leadership in pharmacy.
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He said: ‘Being part of the committee feels like an important step in continuing to build a profile for LGBTQ+ patients and pharmacy professionals.’
In his role, Dr Wells said he is able to contribute to policy, education, and the development of the network in a ‘meaningful’ way.
The PDA LGBTQ+ network said it is ‘excited’ to be part of Manchester Pride on 29 August, which is highlighting the importance of chosen family and self-expression this year. Pharmacy staff are invited to come along and show their support.
The PDA also said that a member of its LGBTQ+ network who works in academia is also seeking collaborators to expand and enhance resources that support LGBTQ+ inclusive teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy programmes.
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The aim is to further integrate LGBTQ+ health considerations into clinical teaching, provide practical tools for educators, and ensure learners are equipped to meet the needs of diverse patients, the PDA said.
Those interested in getting involved can email [email protected].
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