UCL's Ian Bates is new director at FIP

The International Pharmaceutical Federation has appointed Ian Bates as director of its Global Pharmaceutical Observatory (FIP-GPO).

From Thursday (May 21), he will direct the work to improve, refine, and expand intelligence through partnerships for the benefit of FIP member organisations and partners with an aim of supporting transformation of pharmaceutical industry practice to meet the increasing healthcare demand across the globe, the FIP said.

Professor Bates holds the Chair of Pharmacy Education at the UCL School of Pharmacy as Head of Educational Development and is a Faculty Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).

As Director of the FIP Education Workforce Development Hub, he would also be leading an international team appointed by FIP, working in partnership with the World Health Organisation.

“This is an exciting challenge, coming at a time of disruption in our profession," Bates said, commenting on his new responsibility.

"If we are to accelerate the importance and impact of our members and our entire pharmaceutical workforce, we will need data-driven intelligence. I’m looking forward to engaging with all our members and practitioners in order to contribute to this crucial goal.”

FIP president Dominique Jordan said: “The appointment of Professor Bates by the FIP Bureau is timely and important for FIP. I am delighted to work with Ian and the team he will direct at FIP. Together, we will ensure the FIP-GPO is a fundamental benefit for FIP member organisations and partners."

The FIP has been collating and analysing global pharmacy data regularly since 2006 from more than 90 countries and territories.