Speaking to P3, Fin McCaul said that moving towards a single voice for pharmacy is ‘crucial’.

‘We are the third largest profession and one of the biggest potential solutions for the NHS moving forward; if we can’t align ourselves and get a clear, consistent message out, it will then be our own fault if we don’t move forward.’ Combining the ‘different’ approach of the IPF with the resources of the NPA ‘should be a much better offering for independents,’ he said.

‘This is part of the reason that we have aligned with everybody as we have done’.

While not disclosing finalised details of his new role at the NPA, he said: ‘What we’d like to do is to take the ethos and the culture of the IPF and see how that will merge within the NPA and how that will transform how independents are supported.’