I’ve been a pharmacist for almost 26 years now; I’ve always worked in the community pharmacy sector. In my role as a chief executive for Community Pharmacy North East London (NEL), I go above and beyond every day to ensure that I am supporting our pharmacies to be the best that they can be to help as many residents as possible across NEL and beyond.
I speak to pharmacists daily; this is the toughest time for community pharmacy. The NHS landscape is changing rapidly. I want to be one of the voices for community pharmacy with a body that supports policy, works with government, supports members and the profession, and works with other organisations to strengthen the profession. Community pharmacy has many opportunities and just as many challenges in the years ahead. To get through the challenging times, we are going to need all the different organisations to support us.
I have seen that working with various stakeholders across NEL, and often nationally when representing community pharmacy, is something that is essential. By being on the Royal College of Pharmacy board, I will be able to do this from a position that is known to all stakeholders. This is a time of significant change in community pharmacy. The clinical services being delivered and proposed are growing. I want to see that the people delivering these services are involved in the development of them, as well as the associated frameworks. I am an advisor on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Community Pharmacy Expert Advisory Board and see the input that we can have in various consultations and service development. These services must work for everyone delivering them, as well as adding value to patients.
I am standing in this election because I want unity in the profession. I want community pharmacy to have a voice and a seat at the table, along with other sectors in pharmacy. I want to see people that look like me on the board, so that I can inspire and encourage future generations to stand for these positions. This is about protecting and enhancing the profession for the future.
If elected, I will:
- Strengthen communication to members and encourage non-members to join, sharing my reasons for being a member;
- I will champion community pharmacy;
- I will ensure that the Royal College of Pharmacy works with other organisations and ensure that all the pharmacy team are represented in all that we do.
Shilpa Shah
Candidate for the inaugural elections to the English Pharmacy Advisory Council
