News

10 October 2008
European Pharmacists Forum elects new President

European pharmacists meeting at the third 2008 seminar of the European Pharmacists Forum (EPF) which took place on 9 and 10 October in Lisbon, Portugal, have elected Joao Silveira as the new President of EPF. Joao is a practising pharmacist in Portugal and is the owner of Farmacia Suissa. Joao is also Vice-President of the Portuguese national association of pharmacies (Associaçao Nacional das Farmácias - ANF) and has been a member of the European Pharmacists Forum for a number of years. He succeeds Elvire Kuyck of the Netherlands, who is stepping down as President on completion of her three-year term.

At the same seminar, Frank Owens, a Scottish community pharmacist, was appointed as the new Vice-President of the EPF, along with existing Vice-President, Giancarlo Visini.

The aim of the EPF is to support a European and transverse approach to the pharmacy profession, and to bring pharmacists together to discuss ideas and share key messages. The EPF is sponsored by Alliance Boots as part of its initiative to reinforce its partnership with pharmacists and develop its portfolio of services for European pharmacists. The EPF includes representatives from the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Ornella Barra, Board Member and Wholesale & Commercial Affairs Director, Alliance Boots, who represents the Group, commented: 'We are delighted to announce these appointments and wish Joao, Frank and Giancarlo every success in their roles. I am sure they will do a great job in representing the views of pharmacists across Europe in the challenging times currently being faced by the profession.'