New RPS early careers pharmacist advisory group chair appointed

The new RPS Early Careers Pharmacist Advisory Group has appointed its first Chair.

Atif Saddiq, a portfolio pharmacist in General Practice and Academia currently working as a lecturer at the University of Bradford, will head up the group for the next three years.

Atif said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair. We will work to help provide direction for our peers to allow them to achieve their ambitions.

“We often hear that pharmacists feel frustrated not always being able to use the breadth of their core skills and knowledge. This group will create new opportunities for younger pharmacists and provide guidance to inspire, inform and involve them in creating a professionally rewarding future.

The Advisory Group will provide external representation for early career pharmacists to ensure that they are recognised as crucial stakeholders in the pharmacy sector across England, Scotland and Wales.

Gail Fleming, Director of Education at RPS, said:

“Congratulations to Atif on his appointment as Chair of the Advisory Group. This is an exciting opportunity for him to lead the group and facilitate their contributions to our work.

“The group is going to play an important role in helping to shape the future of our profession and I am confident that Atif’s tenure will meet the core values of the RPS and represent our early career pharmacists to the best of his ability.”

RPS is also creating a wider reference group of Early Careers Pharmacists up to 10 years qualified, which will work alongside the advisory group. It will help identify needs around professional development, practice support and advocacy, as well as acting as a source of expertise, advice and opinion to inform RPS policy decisions and operational delivery plans.

The group is now looking for new volunteer members to help test a range of products for the RPS and provide feedback to support our membership offer for early career pharmacists.

If you wish to be part of the new wider reference group, please email: INTEL@rpharms.com by Friday 24 July.