This story was originally published by Independent Community Pharmacist.

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has claimed it secured over £500,000 in compensation for its employed pharmacist members last year through settlements with pharmacy employers.

The union said it helped pharmacists who had been “treated badly by their employers” resolve disputes, avoid employment tribunal hearings and secure pay-outs for individuals ranging from less than £10,000 to over £125,000.

The PDA said cases involved “largest multiple chains to single pharmacy operators, the NHS or other employers,” although it stressed the details of claims are not publicly known because of “how settlement agreements work.”

The PDA’s director of defence services Mark Pitt said it had secured payments for members before their case had gone through an employment tribunal process but confidentiality agreements restricted it from divulging the employer’s identity and any details about “how they mistreated the pharmacist.”

“However, we know who these employers are and have seen the evidence of what occurred,” Pitt insisted.

He added: “These agreements are a legitimate way to resolve an employment dispute, but due to confidentiality it does mean that other pharmacists may not be aware of the potential mistreatment they could face in their employment.

“Though much of the PDA’s activity represents the interests of employed and locum pharmacists overall, this sort of support in resolving specific workplace disputes for individuals is only available to those who were PDA members before their issue arose.

“We therefore advise every pharmacist not to leave it too late and to join the PDA now, if they have not already done so.”