The chairman of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association has become president of the European Pharmacists’ Association (EPA). a new organisation launched earlier this month.
The EPA will advocate for improved working conditions and greater professional recognition for pharmacists, the PDA said, announcing that chairman Mark Koziol had taken up the leadership role.
Issues affecting UK pharmacists are expected to be on the agenda for discussion with representatives from other countries. Membership will include pharmacists, scientists and students.
Pharmacy workload, patient safety and workforce development are planned to be prominent themes, along with areas such as research and evidence-based pharmacy practice, patient safety, and sustainable healthcare.
Koziol said that he was proud to be chosen as the first President of the organisation, and that working together with other stakeholders will be a benefit for pharmacists in the UK.
“We recognise that pharmacists in the UK want their hopes and aspirations recognised and their working conditions improved. This is no different to colleagues in other European countries." he said.
He added: “By working together, we become stronger as we work to reduce the levels of burnout seen currently amongst our respective pharmacist memberships.”
The first meeting of the new organisation was held in Poland on 15 and 16 October.
EPA founding member organisations are from: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the UK.
