A new branch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has been formed in Solihull. It has been established mainly for pharmacists who live or work in the Solihull area and who have previously been members of either the Birmingham or the Coventry branch. It is believed to be the Society's first new branch in 50 years.
The branch was formed at a meeting on March 15 attended by nearly 60 pharmacists and chaired by Mrs Linda Stone, a member of the Society's Council who lives in Solihull. Also present were another local Council member, Mr Mark Koziol, and the Society's West Midlands regional secretary, Lady Connie Perris.
The meeting began with a talk by Mr Roger Odd, the Society's head of professional and scientific support, who explained the function and purposes of the branches. The meeting then elected a branch committee of 11, including Mr Len Dalton as branch chairman, Mr Mike Williams as secretary and Ms Carol McNidden as treasurer.
The meeting concluded with a presentation by the new head of the Society's Policy Support Unit, Ms Eileen Neilson, who spoke about her work.