The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network is inviting nominations for its upcoming 2026 elections.  

Three positions are available: president, vice-president, and honorary secretary. The PDA said that BAME Network members interested in standing must register interest by October 16, with the body running an election “in the coming weeks”. 

The PDA BAME Pharmacists’ Network can elect three officers every two years. The officers “will lead the network and work alongside the immediate past president and co-opted committee members”. 

Read more: National Association of Women Pharmacists names 51st president  

The president’s duties include liaising with members of PDA staff to “plan and deliver a programme of activity”, chairing meetings, keeping up to date with “issues of interest to BAME pharmacists” and serving as the immediate past president for two further years following their period of residential office. 

The PDA said the vice-president supports the work of the president and deputises for them where necessary and the honorary secretary controls minute taking at meetings and ensures the “effective administration of the network”. 

Engaging and growing 

The union said that the committee will “work together following the guidance set out within the PDA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Networks’ remit in order to deliver a programme of activity to help engage members and grow the network and its influence”. 

Prospective nominees must be members of the BAME Network and can apply for multiple roles but cannot be an elected officer of more than one PDA EDI Network simultaneously. 

“It is recommended that officers are not also regional committee or NEC [National Executive Committee] members so that they may devote adequate time to these substantial roles,” the PDA added. 

Read more: RCPharm president named Black Healthcare Awards’ pharmacist of the year  

Those wanting to stand must email bame@the-pda.org by 5pm on October 16 with the following information: 

• First and second name  

• Your connected practice/study 

• Qualifications 

• Previous/current positions held that are relevant to the role (role title; employer/organisation/university; year started/ended) 

• Supporting statement explaining which position(s) they are nominating themselves for and why (up to 250 words) 

• A headshot photo for use in the election process and on the website 

Read more: ‘Chance to lead’: Elections open for PDA women pharmacist network  

It comes after former honorary secretary of the BAME Network Oluomachi Yvonne Okereke was elected president of the National Association of Women Pharmacists earlier this month. 

And it follows the Black Healthcare Awards in July naming Royal College of Pharmacy president Tase Oputu as 2026’s pharmacist of the year.