Today (Monday 3 March 2025) the Pharmaceutical Society NI welcomes its new Chief Executive, Canice Ward.
Canice, a registered pharmacist for almost 20 years, has joined the Society on a two-year secondment from the Department of Health.
Canice’s career has included both community pharmacy management and over a decade working in the Department of Health where he has been Head of the Medicines Regulatory Group since 2018.
President of the Council of the Society, Dr Geraldine O’Hare said:
“This is a great day for the Society, as we welcome Canice into post as the new Chief Executive.
“We now have at the helm of the Society, a registered pharmacist with a distinguished career and considerable knowledge of the profession in Northern Ireland and the challenges it faces.
“Canice brings with him the vision and insight that the Society needs as it strives to become a modern, fit-for-purpose regulator, meeting the needs of pharmacists as their increasing involvement in healthcare pathways continues.
“We are developing our new Corporate Strategy 2025-30, setting the direction that Canice will spearhead, and I know that he is already across our current and emerging work programme.
“The Council and staff welcome Canice and are delighted to have him join the Society.”
Canice said:
“I am incredibly proud and excited to be taking up this role with the Society. I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders throughout the pharmacy profession to modernise the organisation.
“I want to ensure the Society becomes an organisation that is more responsive to the context in which pharmacists work and does more to support pharmacists with the professional challenges they face during their careers.
“My aim is to demonstrate to patients and the public, as well as the pharmacy profession, that we can deliver effective regulation. This will mean delivering efficient and effective services, being open and transparent and demonstrating that we are focused on upholding standards whilst at the same time supporting innovative and good practice.”