WES MOUNTAIN/THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL
Ifti Khan, superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, has been named one of 28 new Fellows of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), one of the highest accolades that can be paid to a Society member.
Khan’s 30-year career in community pharmacy has spanned several pharmacy professional, operational and field roles, including as a locum pharmacist.
He has been with Well Pharmacy, which is part of the Bestway Group, for more than 14 years, and has served as a pharmacy superintendent for the past four years.
Khan is also a board member of the Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee.
Victoria Steele, former superintendent pharmacist at Lloyds Pharmacy, was also named among the new Fellows.
The multiple’s first female superintendent pharmacist, Steele was appointed in September 2020 from her previous job as deputy superintendent and head of clinical governance and professional standards at the company.
She then spent two years with LloydsPharmacy parent company Hallo Healthcare Group before founding Steeler in February 2025.
Steele posted on LinkedIn: “I’ve always been a very proud community pharmacist and some days make you feel exceptionally grateful. Today is one of those days.
“A huge thank you to the RPS and those that nominated me for the Fellowship. I’m indebted to my colleagues, family and friends who have supported me throughout my career, particularly in my passion for patient safety.
“Many congratulations to all the other new Fellows. Well-deserved recognition.”
Also included on the list were Cathy Harrison, chief pharmaceutical officer at the Department of Health Northern Ireland, and Nathan Burley, advanced public health/sexual health services pharmacist with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and immediate past president of the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists.
Other new Fellows included Alifia Chakera, head of pharmaceutical sustainability for the Scottish government, who described the appointment as a “touching professional achievement” on LinkedIn.
Meanwhile, Susannah Ladds, hospital pharmacy modernisation lead at NHS England, said she was “proud and honoured”.
The RPS said that being named a Fellow recognises “the distinction members have attained in a particular aspect or aspects of their pharmacy career”.
Fellowships are based on nominations from members, which the Society said “signifies the high esteem in which members are held by their peers”.
Currently, the RPS has 824 Fellows from across the profession, representing a variety of sectors and career stages. A list of the 28 new Fellows can be found here.
