C+D readers have voted England's chief pharmaceutical officer Keith Ridge the most influential figure in community pharmacy. 

Dr Ridge came top in C+D's Pharmacy 50 poll, which received more than 37,700 reader votes throughout last month (May) to determine who yielded the most influence in community pharmacy. 

There was no doubt Dr Ridge was "a household name among pharmacists", who had led some of the most significant changes the profession has seen, said C+D brand director Gary Paragpuri.

Keith Ridge (pictured) has led some of the most significant changes community pharmacy has seen, according to C+D brand director Gary Paragpuri	More on the Pharmacy 50 Pharmacy 50 homepage The C+D team have their shout Pharmacy 50 interactive map MORE NEWS
	Dr Ridge was followed by Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott, General Pharmaceutical Council chief executive Duncan Rudkin, Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Helen Gordon and NPA chief executive Mike Holden.

Tesco superintendent Adrian Price said he expected Mr Darracott to be counted as one of the most influential people in the profession because of his numerous senior roles and the respect of "so many of his colleagues and peers".

"Rob has an ability to see a way through issues; a desire to do everything better and the most varied portfolio of experience you could ever come across," Mr Price told C+D.

Mr Rudkin, who came third on the list, received praise for his work in regulation. PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said he responded to challenges and questions with "simplicity and courtesy", while remaining "thoughtful and reflective" on the GPhC's future strategy.

To create the top 50 rankings, a shortlist of 100 individuals was selected from suggestions by readers and the C+D team. An app on C+D's homepage selected pairs of the 100 individuals at random and readers were able to vote for which of the two they thought was the most influential.

The final list of 50 included 11 representatives from pharmacy bodies, nine multiple executives or pharmacists, five independent pharmacists, four politicians and 14 individuals from the Department of Health, the NHS or regulatory bodies.

A full countdown of the Pharmacy 50 can be found here.