Sector speculates on Howe’s replacement
Pharmacy representatives have paid tribute to Earl Howe's time as pharmacy minister and suggested who could take over the role
Pharmacy representatives are speculating about who will replace pharmacy minister Earl Howe following his move to the Ministry of Defence yesterday (May 14).
Ipswich MP Ben Gummer has been appointed parliamentary under secretary of state for care quality for the Department of Health (DH) - a similar title to Earl Howe's previous role - although the DH could not confirm whether Mr Gummer's portfolio would include pharmacy.
As well as Mr Gummer, the government has also appointmented former Care Quality Commission chair David Prior and MPs Alistair Burt, Jane Ellison and George Freeman as DH ministers. The government had not confirmed the portfolios for these ministers at time of going to press.
Pharmacy representatives and contractors took to Twitter to praise Earl Howe and speculate on his replacement.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Ash Soni suggested that Ms Ellison would be a suitable candidate to "join public health and pharmacy politically".
Contractor Mike Hewitson echoed Mr Soni's suggestion that Ms Ellison would be a “good advocate” for the sector.
Pharmacy Voice chair Claire Ward said she hoped whoever replaced Earl Howe would have an "equal understanding of the role that community pharmacy can play in supporting primary care and improving public health".
Earl Howe had been a “strong supporter of community pharmacy” and was “instrumental” in setting up the government's Pharmacy and Public Health Forum in 2011, she told C+D.
“He was an advocate of healthy living pharmacies, and [pharmacists' access to] summary care records. We are grateful for his work and commitment to the sector,” Ms Ward added.
Earl Howe's replacement: the Twitter response
@canddannabelle Nobody as good as Earl Howe. Period. Not afraid to stand up to powerful groups when necessary, genuine advocate. Huge loss.
— Mike Hewitson (@MikeHewitson1) May 14, 2015
@grahamsphillips we would expect a full role for a Lord with the size of DH, but DH will not "speculate" as to whether one will be appt'ed
— Charles Willis RPS (@RPS_Stakeholder) May 14, 2015
@CandDAnnabelle @RPS_Stakeholder He's been an excellent pharmacy minister and a strong advocate for the profession. We need more of that
— Graham Phillips (@grahamsphillips) May 14, 2015
@CandDAnnabelle I'm slightly concerned about continuity now though as new ministers do like to re-decide things so...
— UK Pharmacist (@UKPharmacist) May 14, 2015
@CandDAnnabelle @grahamsphillips I think the trick is to make sure all ministers realise the potential of pharmacy
— Sandra Gidley (@SandraGidley) May 14, 2015
Who do you think should replace Earl Howe?
We want to hear your views, but please express them in the spirit of a constructive, professional debate. For more information about what this means, please click here to see our community principles and information
