The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has said it has secured a meeting with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) on Thursday in an attempt to get more information about its controversial plans to introduce a pharmacy apprenticeship.

The meeting, which will take place in Birmingham, will give pharmacy bodies the chance to gain answers to questions such as which employer organisations are spearheading the plans as part of the trailblazer group, how will the apprenticeship sit alongside the pharmacy degree and pre-registration exam, how will individuals who take up the apprenticeship be protected from exploitation by employers and why were the proposals made without a more thorough engagement with the pharmacy sector.

The PDA said it has invited the General Pharmaceutical Council, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pharmacy Schools Council, British Pharmaceutical Students Association, Health Education England, Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, Company Chemists Association, National Pharmacy Association and Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies to the meeting.

“We hope this meeting allows the sector to fact-find about the work of IFATE in relation to pharmacy and that we can help shape a united response to any proposal for an apprenticeship scheme from the profession,” the PDA said.