Theramex, a global speciality pharmaceutical company dedicated to women's health, has named Robert Stewart as its new chief executive officer.
Stewart, who will take up the new role on March 9, replaces Anish Mehta, who decided to step down for personal reasons.
Prior to joining Theramex, Stewart was CEO of Amnel, a generics and speciality pharmaceutical company with over 225 products sold in markets across the world.
He also served as the Group COO of the Irish pharma company Allergan.
The profession’s success will depend on collaboration across all sectors, says PDA.
The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has criticised the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for moving too quickly to a ballot on its proposed transition to a Royal College, arguing that it resulted in low participation from pharmacists in Great Britain.
Announcing the results of the special resolution vote, the RPS said that the outcome was a “clear mandate” in favour of the transformative change.
A total of 6,144 members—31.4% of the 19,594 eligible voters—participated in the vote.
More than 71% (4,369 votes) supported the resolution, while nearly 29% (1,775 votes) opposed it. This equates to 22% of all RPS members voting in favour and 9% voting against.
However, the PDA highlighted that those voting in favour represent less than 7% of all pharmacists in Great Britain, pointing out that “there are more than 45,000 pharmacists who are not RPS members.”
"With more than two-thirds of all RPS members not involved in the voting at all, coupled with such a low level of detailed understanding of the proposals, only the passage of time will make it apparent what may have been gained and what may have been lost,” the union stated.
It argued that, if done intelligently, the changes could “not only lead to the RPS doing things differently but could also lead to other organisations adapting in concert, working symbiotically for the benefit of the wider profession.”
The union also cited a survey of over 2,000 pharmacists, which revealed that only 11% felt well-informed about the proposals ahead of the vote.
It had urged the RPS to delay the ballot to allow more time for discussion and consensus-building, but this was not granted.
Failing a delay, the PDA had called for a ‘NO’ vote to enable additional and sufficient time to be given.
The PDA expressed concerns that in converting to a Royal College, the RPS would lose a key charter objective to “safeguard, maintain the honour, and promote the interests of pharmacists.”
This has been confirmed by the RPS’s lawyers who said: “It is not possible for a charity to have the object to ‘maintain the honour, and promote the interests of pharmacists.’ A charity cannot have a purpose to benefit, or further the interests of, a defined group of individuals who are not themselves the objects of the charity.”
Some pharmacists viewed this as a retrograde step for the profession, arguing that the conversion could have been done in a different way without the loss of this objective.
According to the PDA, these developments are the potentially damaging consequences of “moving too hastily to a ballot and not sufficiently engaging the whole profession before calling the vote.”
However, it acknowledged that the clarification provided by the RPS lawyers on “what the Royal College can and cannot do” would help the profession to consider “how best to adapt, ensuring that pharmacists can still expect to receive professional representation of their interests.”
Looking ahead, the PDA stressed the need for “a broader conversation” on how the transition will work in practice.
“The hard work starts now,” the union said, calling for all stakeholders – pharmacists, professional bodies, and representative organisations – to engage in meaningful and collaborative dialogue.
The PDA recognised that the transition presents an opportunity to “recalibrate the pharmacy ecosystem – aligning the strengths of all representative bodies to achieve outcomes that surpass the sum of individual efforts.”
“The profession’s success will depend on collaboration across all sectors, ensuring that all pharmacists benefit from a more cohesive and strategically aligned landscape, regardless of their affiliations,” it said.
“While questions remain about the long-term implications of this transition, what is clear is the need for a symbiotic approach. Pharmacists need to be clear as to where they go for what and how they can be supported in the practice of their profession,” the PDA added.
The RPS is now focused on progressing the necessary steps with the Privy Council, Charity Commission, and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to complete the transition to Royal College status by Spring 2026.
Third from the left: Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales
Members of the Senedd (MSs) were briefed on the increasing pressures facing pharmacy teams and the urgent need for action to support their health and wellbeing at an event hosted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Wales.
The event, held on Wednesday, brought together MSs, including first minister Eluned Morgan, to discuss the findings of RPS’ latest Workforce Wellbeing Survey.
The Wales-specific results highlighted that 88% of pharmacy team members are at high risk of burnout, driven by key factors such as inadequate staffing (73%), lack of work-life balance (46%), financial pressures (45%), and insufficient protected learning time (49%).
Medicine shortages are also significantly affecting mental health, with 60% of respondents reporting a negative impact on their wellbeing.
Additionally, the report identified workplace abuse as a serious concern, as 52% of respondents reported experiencing verbal abuse from the public.
In response, RPS Wales highlighted to MSs the urgent need for action, particularly in three key areas:
RPS Wales Director, Elen Jones, said: “At a time when pharmacy teams are being asked to deliver transformational change through increased prescribing and clinical services, the survey underscores the urgent need for better support systems to enable professional development, combat burnout, and promote wellbeing.”
She welcomed the recognition from MSs of the vital role pharmacy teams play in healthcare and their understanding of the need for greater support.
“Building on these discussions, RPS will continue to engage with all political parties -particularly as they shape their priorities ahead of the upcoming Senedd election - to ensure the needs of pharmacy teams in Wales are met, ultimately leading to improved patient care,” she added.
Most dengue cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) has warned that imported dengue cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (EWNI) have reached their highest level since dengue surveillance began in 2009.
New data from the agency reveals that 904 dengue cases were reported among returning travellers in these countries in 2024, a sharp increase from 631 in 2023.
Most cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia.
Increase in other mosquito-borne infections
In addition to dengue, imported cases of Chikungunya — another mosquito-borne infection — have also risen across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
UKHSA recorded 112 Chikungunya cases in 2024, more than double the 45 cases reported in 2023, with most linked to travel in Southern Asia.
Similarly, cases of Zika virus disease have also increased, with 16 cases reported in 2024 across EWNI, compared to 8 in 2023.
Most of the affected travellers had returned from South-Eastern Asia.
Unlike dengue and chikungunya, there is no drug or vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection, making mosquito bite prevention the most effective way to reduce risk.
Dr Philip Veal, a consultant in public health at UKSHA, has shared some simple steps to minimise the risk of mosquito-borne infections while travelling abroad:
Use insect repellent
Cover exposed skin
Sleep under insecticide-treated bed net
He advises those travelling abroad to check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on their destination, including any recommended vaccinations.
“Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk,” said Dr Veal.
Travellers are also advised to consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends Qdenga dengue vaccine for some travellers.
Qdenga is available for individuals aged 4 and older who have previously had (or might have had) dengue and are traveling to high-risk areas.
However, JCVI cautioned that the vaccine is not suitable for:
Pregnant women
Breastfeeding women
Immunocompromised individuals
Those with hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine
Children under 4 years of age
Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, chikungunya and Zika can cause a range of symptoms, including:
Fever
Severe headache
Pain behind the eyes
Muscle and joint pain
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
However, not everyone experiences symptoms, and some infections may go unnoticed, the agency stated.
Alongside mosquito-borne infections, UKHSA is reminding travelers of an ongoing mpox outbreak in some African countries.
Currently, the risk to most travellers remains low and vaccination against mpox is not generally recommended.
Those travelling to affected areas are advised to take precautions by reducing touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals who have a rash.
Henry Gregg (left) with Sir Chris Whitty
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has announced Henry Gregg will be the organisation’s new chief executive from May.
Gregg, who is currently director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, replaces Paul Rees who departed in January.
“I am excited to be joining the NPA at a pivotal time for community pharmacy. I’m looking forward to working with the NPA team, building strong links with government so we can deliver the support pharmacies so desperately need and the bigger role they can undoubtedly play in everyone’s health,” said Gregg.
“I want to focus on fighting for pharmacies and raising the profile of their amazing work, but also making sure the NPA is offering the best possible service and support for a network upon which so many people rely. I can’t wait to meet the team and start meeting NPA members across the UK.”
At Asthma + Lung UK, Gregg has led the campaign to ban cigarettes for everyone born after 2009 and smoking outside hospitals, playgrounds and schools, and also pushed for respiratory vaccines and management of lung conditions in community pharmacies.
Having started his career working in parliament, Gregg went on to gain a wealth of communications, policy and public experience at the Health Foundation and the London Boroughs of Newham and Barking and Dagenham.
He also led member relations at the National Housing Federation, where he supported the housing sector in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Nick Kaye, NPA chair, said: “On behalf of the NPA board I am so delighted to be welcoming Henry to join the NPA as its next chief executive.
“At a time of huge change and enormous opportunity for the community pharmacy network, we are fortunate to have someone with Henry’s experience and insight to lead the organisation as we respond to the challenges ahead.
“The NPA has made tremendous strides over the past months and has given community pharmacy a greater profile than ever before. I’m sure Henry will build on that work to modernise the NPA and ensure we are the strongest possible advocate and servant for the thousands of NPA member pharmacies that are a central part of the health service for millions of people.”
GP Connect Access Record will make a patient’s relevant medical information available to pharmacy.
Community pharmacy IT supplier Cegedim Rx has made GP Connect Access Record functionality available across its clinical services platform, providing registered pharmacy professionals with enhanced access to patient medical information.
The new feature, now live on Cegedim Rx’s Pharmacy Services platform, allows community pharmacies to retrieve relevant medical data when delivering NHS clinical services.
Leanne Hackett, product director for Cegedim Rx, said: “We’re delighted – once again – to be the first community pharmacy IT supplier to switch on functionality for a national initiative which aims to better connect registered community pharmacy professionals with their patients’ medical and health information.”
She explained: “GP Connect Access Record will make a patient’s relevant medical information available to pharmacy.”
“Providing vital insights – available at the point of delivering an NHS clinical service – which will without question help to improve patient care and outcomes.”
Assured GP IT suppliers have either automatically activated the functionality or provided guidance for GP practices on how to enable it manually.
Leanne expressed pride in the achievement, stating: “With the launch of GP Connect Access Record it feels like we’re moving in a very positive direction.”
She emphasised the importance of “joined-up technology and seamless information sharing” to enable effective collaboration between pharmacy and primary care.
“It really can’t be overstated just how important it is for community pharmacy to have access to relevant patient medical information.”
“It’s a significant step forward, not just in delivering improved interoperability but also, in highlighting the vital role community pharmacy plays in the delivery of NHS healthcare,” she added.
