The GPhC announced yesterday (February 20) that Gisela Abbam has been reappointed as the chair by the Privy Council to “serve a second term” from April 1 until the end of March 2029.
Abbam first took on the role in March 2022 and said she was “delighted to be reappointed as chair and to continue to lead the important work being carried out at the GPhC”.
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“I understand there are significant ongoing challenges for pharmacy, and we will continue the listening exercise to provide whatever support we can,” she said.
“Patients and their carers have been impacted by issues such as medicines shortages, pharmacy teams are facing both workplace and financial pressures, and collective well-being has been affected,” she added.
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“I am grateful for all those in pharmacy that are supporting their communities and helping people with their health needs,” Abbam said. “I will ensure that the GPhC continues to use all of its regulatory levers and influence to make a positive difference”.
“Major reforms to health and social care are currently being discussed across England, Scotland and Wales [and] I aim to make sure pharmacy and pharmacy regulation is at the heart of those discussions, to ensure patients and the public get safe and effective care and have confidence in pharmacy now and in the future”, she added.
“Clear leadership”
A GPhC pharmacist member who was involved in the reappointment process, Elizabeth Mailey, said she is “delighted that Gisela has been reappointed for a second term, so [she] can continue to provide clear leadership as the GPhC finalises and implements its strategy for the next five years”.
“In her first term, Gisela Abbam has effectively led the council to help us drive forward our aims and has brought a real focus on how the GPhC can support pharmacy, and the whole pharmacy team, to deliver improved care for patients and the public,” she added.
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Abbam’s appointment as GPhC chair was first announced by the regulator in February 2022 “after a robust selection process, which was scrutinised by the Professional Standards Authority”.
And the regulator said at the time that she will bring “a wealth of experience delivering change in the health and life sciences sector” which she formally took on the next month.
