Pharmacists at Boots are to receive a four per cent pay increase from November 1 following “productive discussions” between the multiple and the PDA Union. 

This morning (Thursday October 3), Boots and the PDAU announced that all qualified pharmacists within the bargaining unit of pharmacists and pharmacist store managers are to receive a four per cent pay award to recognise their “unique role” within the business and the wider community pharmacy sector. 

In addition, all pharmacists with more than 10 years’ service will be paid a minimum of £53,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) annually, meaning that eligible pharmacists who are below this threshold even after the four per cent uplift is applied will see an additional wage increase.

Meanwhile, all pharmacist store managers who are “substantively appointed” and “rated as performing” will be paid a minimum of £55,000 FTE per year, which Boots described as an effort “to recognise the unique role” these workers play within the business.

An honorarium currently worth £1,000 paid to pharmacists who are “supporting trainee pharmacists” will rise to a £1,500 non-consolidated payment “at the usual time, once the trainee pharmacist’s 52-week sign-off has been undertaken, pro-rated in the usual way”. 

Finally, the company has agreed to maintain a policy of providing pro-rated payments of £100 for taking on unplanned shifts with less than 48 hours’ notice. 

Pharmacists rated “not performing” and those who have joined or had a pay increase since August 1 this year will not be eligible for any pay increase. Neither will trainee pharmacists. 

A joint statement from Boots and the PDAU read: “The above settlement reflects a total expected additional investment in payroll of five per cent across the bargaining unit. 

“The settlement highlights the critical role that pharmacists at Boots play in providing accessible healthcare to the community.

“Their contributions are also deeply appreciated by both Boots and the PDAU who have a joint commitment to collaborating to ensure a rewarding future for all pharmacists at Boots.” 

The news of a raft of pay increases effective as of November 1 follows a five per cent pay uplift awarded to Boots pharmacists in October 2023. 

According to the Boots UK website, the company employs over 4,300 registered pharmacists, the majority of whom fall within the PDAU’s bargaining unit – the product of a battle for union recognition fought in 2019.