José Moss (1965–2025)

José Moss, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Boots UK and vice-chair of the Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group (CP PSG), has died aged 59 years.

Before taking up her role as deputy superintendent in 2015, Moss had already held senior roles with Safeway and Alliance Pharmacy, known then as Moss Chemists. She was pharmacy manager for Safeway between 1997 and 2002, before moving to Alliance Pharmacy as professional support manager. She went on to become legal and ethical support manager, followed by general manager. She joined Boots as senior professional regulation and clinical governance manager in 2009.

Moss was a member of the CP PSG for several years, becoming the group’s vice-chair in 2024. 

As well as her degree in pharmacy, Moss held a PhD in multidisciplinary healthcare research, which she achieved at King’s College London in 1996. 

She also held an LLB and an MBA and obtained Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Faculty Fellowship in 2015. 

Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots UK, said: “José was particularly dedicated to continual improvement in patient safety management, as evidenced by her work at Boots, which has included the digitisation of standard operating procedures, the evolution of pharmacy incident and event reporting systems, the management of professional communications and the development of professional leadership training programmes.  

“José also supported the pharmacy profession more widely, holding the positions of vice-chair of the CP PSG and chair of the Company Chemists’ Association’s pharmacy practice group. José’s legacy is shaped by her contribution and commitment to the profession and to patient safety. 

“We will also remember her compassion, empathy, kindness and unwavering care for both colleagues and patients. She leaves an indelible mark on our profession and in our hearts.”

Jackie Giltrow, chair of the CP PSG, said Moss was a “much-loved colleague and friend to me, and I was heartbroken to hear the news of her death”

“She was one of the most professional and knowledgeable pharmacists that I have had the honour of knowing. She had a quiet determination about her and a good sense of humour, which you need when working in pharmacy. She was a formidable champion of patient safety within community pharmacy, and for the last ten years or so, she and I had been members of the CP PSG. 

“I was delighted when she was voted in as vice-chair of the CP PSG in 2024, and I know she was really proud to hold that position. In spite of her ongoing illness, she was tireless in her support both of me and the CP PSG. The CP PSG benefited tremendously from Jose’s contributions. She shared ideas and resources selflessly and will be deeply missed.

“I will remember with fondness my day in Boots head office last year when José and I filmed our ‘Focus on Fentanyl’ video on behalf of the CP PSG. As professional as ever, I knew that José would manage the filming in one take, so the pressure was on. José was a role model to many people and losing her too soon will leave a considerable hole. My thoughts are with her husband, Simon, and other family and friends.”

Paul Bennett, chief executive of the RPS, who worked with Moss in several roles over the years, said: “I first met José in 1997, when she was appointed to the role of pharmacy manager in Worthing, West Sussex, for Safeway where I was then the superintendent pharmacist.

“It soon became apparent that José was someone with high professional values and moral integrity, but little did I know at the time that she would become someone that I, and very many of those who would go on to work with her, would come to rely upon so strongly. 

“Even in those early days, she was never afraid to give honest and constructive insights into the professional challenges of being a pharmacist at the forefront of patient care.

“Her professional values were among the highest of anyone I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and a colleague I and others will never forget. 

“Of all my many fond memories of the years that I had the pleasure of working alongside José, the one thing that I will treasure the most is her friendship and warm spirit towards others. She was a very special person and will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to know her. My deepest sympathies go to Simon, her family and all her many friends,” he added.

Moss’s funeral will be private. Those wishing to donate in her memory may donate to Cancer Research UK.