Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

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.

More For You

NICE approves once-daily tablet Linzagolix for endometriosis

NICE recommends Linzagolix with add-back therapy for endometriosis

Image credit: Getty Images

NICE approves new at-home treatment for endometriosis

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Linzagolix (brand name Yselty), a once-daily tablet, as a new treatment option for endometriosis.

Developed by Theramex, Linzagolix is approved for use alongside hormonal add-back therapy in adults of reproductive age who have previously tried other medical or surgical treatments for the condition.

Keep ReadingShow less
Many patients report inaccuracies or missing details in their NHS medical records

Inaccurate information can result in serious harm or even death, warns Healthwatch England.

Image Credit: Getty Images

1 in 4 adults have spotted errors in their NHS medical records, survey finds

Healthwatch England has raised the alarm over the risks posed by inaccurate medical records as research reveals widespread errors in NHS patient information.

Commissioned by Healthwatch England and conducted by BMG Research, the survey polled a representative sample of 1,800 adults in England between 24 and 27 March 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pharmacies NHS weight loss jabs

Pharmacies already sell the medication as a private service

Pic credit: iStock

Pharmacies in line to roll out NHS weight loss jabs

Pharmacies are “best placed” to deliver a planned rollout off greater access to weight loss jabs which could benefit 3.4 million people in England.

Reports today claim the government is looking at trials that would see the medication made available following a short, over-the-counter consultation for the price of an NHS prescription.

Keep ReadingShow less
Numark welcomes hub and spoke change, but calls for clear economic model

The H Human Medicines Regulations amendments will come into force on 1 October 2025.

Image credit: Getty Images

Hub and spoke dispensing between separate pharmacy businesses to begin in October

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has confirmed that the government has laid amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR) in Parliament, marking a crucial step towards enabling hub and spoke dispensing between separate community pharmacy businesses.

The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025 are set to come into force on 1 October 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lib Dems condemn rising unsolved crimes, say shoplifting and burglary ‘effectively decriminalised’

Leicestershire police recorded the lowest charge rate for shoplifting in the country.

Gettyimages

Shoplifting and burglary ‘effectively decriminalised’, warn Lib Dems as unsolved crimes soar

The Liberal Democrats have raised alarm over what they describe as the “decriminalisation” of burglary and shoplifting, as new data reveals that the vast majority of such offences across Britain are going unsolved.

Figures revealed by the House of Commons Library research, commissioned by the party, showed that only 5.25 per cent of shoplifting offences in London last year led to a suspect being charged.

Keep ReadingShow less