The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), an association of independent community pharmacy professionals found in 1921, announced its centenary with list of events to be held.
To mark the same, the association planned various events like celebrating its longest-standing members, consultations with members about the future of independent community pharmacy, renewing efforts to recruit the next generation of pharmacists (in partnership with other pharmacy bodies) and engage pharmacy students along with holding a charity fundraising based on its ‘100’ theme.
Besides this, the association also shared that the MPs offering congratulations in the form of a parliamentary Early Day Motion.
The parliamentary motion, tabled by Scottish Nationalist MP, Dr Lisa Cameron, and co-signed by MPs from parties across the House of Commons, read:
“That this House congratulates the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) as it celebrates 100 years of serving community pharmacies in the UK; notes that the NPA has helped its members through enormous change, including the formation of the NHS in 1948, the overhaul of medicines regulations in 1968, the massive expansion in the range of medicines available to patients and the establishment of new roles in public health, urgent care and managing long term conditions; recognizes the vital contribution of pharmacies today, especially in the light of their work during the covid-19 pandemic; and looks forward to pharmacies playing an important role in the health, wellbeing and daily life of our communities in the years to come.”
The NPA which represents over 6000 pharmacies in the UK conducted its first board meeting in 1921 seeing chairman John Deakin address the newly elected Executive Committee and outline the course that the new organisation (then called the Retail Pharmacists’ Union) should pursue.
Current chair, Andrew Lane, said: “The NPA has grown since 1921 to become the leading voice of independent community pharmacies across the UK. It is wonderful that politicians across the House of Commons have recognised the significance of our centenary and the contribution of our members over these 100 years.”
Lastly, the association informed that a celebratory webinar which was slated to take place on Wednesday evening has been postponed in light of the official week-long period of mourning for the death of Prince Philip.
The event will now take place on Wednesday 28 April. Interested can register at https://www.npa.co.uk/news-and-events/events/celebrating-100-years/
