The Pharmaceutical Society NI Centenary Podcast
To celebrate our centenary year we have launched a special podcast series, featuring conversations with people who have contributed significantly to the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland.
Ways to follow the series
Episode 1 - Tom Eakin Talks to Geraldine O'Hare
In the first episode our President, Dr Geraldine O’Hare, talks to Tom Eakin.
Tom qualified as a pharmacist in 1951, and served the early part of his career in the community sector. He took over as President of the Pharmaceutical Society NI in 1975, the year of our 50th anniversary.
After his tenure in this role he proceeded to develop world-renowned innovations in the treatment of ostomy patients, leading to the founding of Eakin Healthcare.
Tom and Geraldine discussed changes in education and training since the 1940s; what the profession was like 50 years ago; and Tom’s advice for anyone starting in the profession today.
Episode 2 - Professor Cathy Harrison talks to Dr Geraldine O'Hare
In this episode you will hear Dr Geraldine O’Hare, the President of the Society, speaking to the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Northern Ireland, Professor Cathy Harrison.
Cathy began her pharmacy career journey in the 80s, spending most of the 90s working in community pharmacy before moving into the public sector.
She took over as Chief Pharmaceutical Officer in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cathy and Geraldine discuss her varied career, including her first brush with a pandemic in the 00s, as well as her participation in our International Women’s Day event in March 2025.Â
Episode 3 - Professor Mike Mawhinney in Conversation with Canice Ward
In the first episode our President, Dr Geraldine O’Hare, talks to Tom Eakin.
Tom qualified as a pharmacist in 1951, and served the early part of his career in the community sector. He took over as President of the Pharmaceutical Society NI in 1975, the year of our 50th anniversary.
After his tenure in this role he proceeded to develop world-renowned innovations in the treatment of ostomy patients, leading to the founding of Eakin Healthcare.
Tom and Geraldine discussed changes in education and training since the 1940s; what the profession was like 50 years ago; and Tom’s advice for anyone starting in the profession today.
Episode 4 - The Student and Trainee Experience
In this episode Caretaker Manager of the Pharmacy Forum NI, Una O’Farrell, talks to an MPharm student at Ulster University, Fatema Mohammad, and newly qualified pharmacist, Adam McCambridge (who at time of recording was awaiting the results of his Common Registration Assessment).
Together they reflect on the student and trainee experience, and discuss the opportunities for career and personal development during initial education and training.
Episode 5 - Raymond Anderson talks to Dr Geraldine O'Hare
Raymond Anderson graduated with a BSc in Pharmacy from Queen’s University Belfast in 1979, beginning what would become a distinguished career spanning nearly 45 years so far.
A community pharmacist at heart, the son of two pharmacists, his leadership has shaped the profession well beyond the dispensary.
He served as President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland from 2006 to 2009, before going on to lead the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association from 2011 to 2017, helping to reshape and modernise the organisation during his tenure.
His influence has also extended to Europe, where he was appointed by the European Commission to the European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee, a role he held for nearly six years, contributing to medicine safety at the highest level.
From advancing community pharmacy to championing professional regulation across the Commonwealth, Raymond’s legacy is one of advocacy, innovation and unwavering commitment to patient care.
In the summer of 2025, he sat down with current President of the Society, Dr Geraldine O’Hare, bringing together past and present leadership for a conversation about where pharmacy has been and where it’s going next.