All change for top positions at key pharmacy bodies
Lawyer Christopher Hodges has been appointed to chair the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee when Barry Andrews's term of office runs out at the end of August. The appointment comes as the National
Pharmacy Association named its acting chief executive as Colette McCreedy,
currently director of pharmacy practice at the NPA, and as the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society started its search for a new chief
executive.
The new PSNC chairman, Dr Hodges, is a consultant to CMS Cameron McKenna,
where he advises, among other areas, on product liability and health
care law. He has more than 16 years’ experience of a range of issues
involving the pharmacy sector, including commerce, regulation and ethics.
PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said: “Christopher Hodges has a
sound understanding of community pharmacy, as well as a grasp of the
wider health care environment derived both from his legal practice and
his involvement with the Association of British Healthcare Industries
and the [Government’s] Health Industries Task Force.”
Dr Hodges added: “Community pharmacists have very high standards
of service and there are significant opportunities under the contract
to deliver even better and more extensive care as the health care environment
changes.”
At the NPA, Ms McCreedy will take on the role of acting chief executive
when current chief executive John D’Arcy departs. Ms McCreedy said: “It
is a great privilege to take the reigns of the NPA at a time of considerable
change. With the support of the NPA board and executive team I will be
ensuring the NPA continues to deliver for members over the coming months.”
Umesh Patel, NPA chairman, added: “The board had no hesitation
in making the appointment . … Colette has a track record that speaks
for itself.”
Before joining the NPA, Ms McCreedy worked as a community pharmacist
in both the UK and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Society has started its search for a chief executive to
lead it through the structural change expected following the Government’s
recent proposals for the future regulation of health care professionals
(see Society
p381).
An advertisement has been placed in this week’s Journal with another
appearing in The Sunday Times last weekend.
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