Hosted by Baroness Redfern, the reception brought together influential voices from across pharmacy, Parliament and healthcare to recognise the achievements of women working throughout community pharmacy and to encourage the next generation of female leaders.
With women making up around 60% of pharmacists and 85% of pharmacy technicians, the event highlighted the significant role women play in delivering accessible, high-quality care in communities across the country.
Celebrating Leadership, Achievement and Impact
Guests heard from a distinguished panel of speakers including NPA Chairman Olivier Picard, NPA Vice Chair Sukhi Basra, Health Innovation and Safety Minister Preet Kaur Gill MP, Taiwo Owatemi MP and Baroness Redfern.
The afternoon featured powerful reflections on leadership, resilience, service and the future of community pharmacy.
In a landmark moment for the profession, attendees celebrated Sukhi Basra becoming the first female Vice Chair in the NPA's history. During her speech, Sukhi shared personal reflections on her journey into pharmacy, the influence of her grandmother and faith, and the often-unseen work women undertake both professionally and personally. She also spoke passionately about the important role community pharmacy teams can play in recognising and supporting victims of domestic abuse.
Taiwo Owatemi MP reflected on her experiences as a pharmacist and parliamentarian, encouraging women to continue supporting one another through mentorship, networking and leadership.
Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill MP outlined the Government's ambitions to improve women's health outcomes and praised the contribution women are making to healthcare, innovation and patient care across the UK.
Baroness Redfern reaffirmed her support for community pharmacy and highlighted the importance of continuing to champion women's health and leadership throughout the profession.
Recognising the Women Behind Community Pharmacy
The reception was designed not only to celebrate current leaders but also to recognise the thousands of women working every day in community pharmacies, often serving as the first point of contact for patients seeking healthcare advice, reassurance and support.
Each attendee was presented with a rose as a symbol of appreciation for their achievements and dedication to patient care. The thoughtful gesture reflected the event's central message: recognising and valuing the women whose work helps keep communities healthy.
The intimate setting encouraged meaningful conversations, networking and the sharing of experiences between pharmacy professionals from across the country.
Looking Ahead
Discussions throughout the afternoon also focused on the future role of community pharmacy in supporting women's health priorities. Speakers highlighted the profession's readiness to help deliver preventative healthcare initiatives, including supporting the Government's ambition to improve cancer prevention and expand access to services such as HPV vaccination programmes.
The event reinforced the importance of ensuring women are represented at every level of leadership within pharmacy and healthcare.
What our attendees said
The reception generated an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees, many of whom described the event as inspiring, empowering and long overdue.
Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the NPA, said:
"The NPA was proud to hold the Women in Community Pharmacy Reception in the House of Lords. It was a privilege to bring so many female pharmacy leaders together in one room to inspire the next generation and to thank them for the work they do in their local communities day after day. The NPA will continue to support women in community pharmacy and push for greater female representation in pharmacy leadership roles."
Preet Kaur Gill MP said:
"Women are leading pharmacies, driving innovation and supporting patients."
Taiwo Owatemi MP said:
"It was wonderful to see so many women in pharmacy coming together to celebrate their work, share experiences and support each other."
Olivier Picard, NPA Chairman, said:
"This event was not only about celebrating the remarkable achievements of women already leading within pharmacy, but also about strengthening networks, supporting one another and encouraging the next generation of female leaders."
Rupee Chana, Community Pharmacy Leader, said:
"What an honour to be among so many incredible women at the House of Lords for the NPA's Women in Community Pharmacy Reception. Sukhi Basra's speech was a particular highlight and left me genuinely inspired."
A Proud Moment for Community Pharmacy
The Women in Community Pharmacy Reception demonstrated the growing influence of community pharmacy and the important role women play in shaping the future of healthcare.
Bringing together pharmacy professionals, parliamentarians and healthcare leaders at one of the UK's most iconic institutions was a powerful reminder of the impact community pharmacy has on patients, communities and the wider NHS.
The NPA remains committed to supporting women throughout the profession, championing leadership opportunities and ensuring community pharmacy continues to have a strong voice at the highest levels of healthcare and government.
Some photos from the event:
