Claire Ward has been named chair of Pharmacy Voice. Ms Ward, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacy Federation, will begin a three-year tenure as chair on 1 April.

She commented: ‘With an election nearing and the changes in commissioning, funding and delivery across health and social care, it is essential that Pharmacy Voice continues to maintain the focus on the huge potential of community pharmacy and represent the interests of the sector by speaking with one voice.’

Drive to put community pharmacy on the map 

Speaking to P3, Claire Ward was enthusiastic about her new role. ‘I want to play my part in helping
Pharmacy Voice really put community pharmacy on the map, and to help shape the future of community pharmacy. I think we’re in a really exciting time with the potential of community pharmacy and all that’s going on in the NHS – with the great need the NHS has for more engagement with community pharmacy.

She is ‘passionate’ about the need for pharmacy to play a much bigger role in healthcare’ and is looks forward to working with Rob Darracott and the Pharmacy Voice team. ‘Having been involved with the IPF for four years, I can hit the ground running,’ she said.