Keele’s Head of Pharmacy presents guest lecture
Professor Nigel Ratcliffe, Head of the School of Pharmacy at Keele, spoke on the future of the pharmaceutical industry at the University of Sunderland’s annual pharmacy lecture last week.
Professor Ratcliffe presented his talk, ‘Is the Pharmaceutical Industry broken? What can and must the ‘new’ pharmacist do then?’, on November 9th, at the University’s 52nd Hope Winch Memorial Lecture.
The lecture discussed ‘the industry’ as an opportunity for UK pharmacists against the challenging environment in which it operates. It also explored the developing education of a pharmacist, myths and realities, and how equipped education is for their place in today’s and tomorrow’s world.
Professor Ratcliffe was asked to be a guest speaker due to his vast experience in the sector including chairing the largest UK integrated Health and Social Care NHS Trust, giving valuable insight into the contribution required from all health professionals and the associated preparation in education, training and professional development. Professor Ratcliffe’s other previous positions include roles at ICI, Zeneca, and global Vice President positions within AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Professor Ratcliffe has also negotiated on a global stage and brought significant changes in legislation and regulation for drug development. He was also Chairman of the Appointments Board of the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council.
He is a passionate believer in the present and future contribution of pharmacy and the roles of the pharmacist in the delivery of health and social care, drug development and the optimisation of medicines. Professor Ratcliffe is extremely keen that pharmacy is championed and that education, research, career and opportunity development for the profession in the UK are world leading.