New Chair confirmed for Pharmacy APPG

Pharmacy trade bodies have confirmed that an MP is set to stand as the new Chair of the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG).

The position is vacant since longstanding Chair Sir Kevin Barron MP has stepped down from parliament last year.

"We are delighted to confirm that an MP with significant experience in health policy has agreed to stand as the new Chair of the APPG in the AGM elections." the National Pharmacy Association said in a statement.

"We have also been in contact with a number of parliamentarians across both Houses who have expressed a keen interest in getting involved with the APPG, including standing as Officers to help guide the Group."

The APPG is expected to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) soon as the rules that mandated physical presence of at least five MPs in a room has recently changed to allow for virtual meeting.

The APPG is not currently active as the re-registration of the group could not be done due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Trade bodies that support the APPG - the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, the Company Chemists' Association, the National Pharmacy Association, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society- said they will continue to work together to inform MPs of the work being done by the community pharmacies during the pandemic, and ensure their support for the sector until AGM elections are held and the APPG is re-registered.