BREAKING: Pharmacy Voice to disband over NPA split
Pharmacy Voice "cannot continue" to exist following its split from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the lobbying group has announced.
Pharmacy Voice is formed of the NPA, the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) and the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA).
But Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott revealed this morning (February 2) that the NPA's announcement last December that it would leave at the end of 2017 means it is "not possible" for Pharmacy Voice "to continue with the remaining member associations".
"The constitution of Pharmacy Voice requires that if one member association gives notice to leave, the organisation cannot continue," Mr Darracott explained.
“Pharmacy Voice will continue with its current work programmes for the time being, while the board completes a review of the workplans for 2017, so that the best decisions are made for the continuation of the vital work Pharmacy Voice has been doing for the future of the sector,” he said.
Mr Darracott added: "Changes will be implemented in an organised and timely fashion that is respectful of committed staff and recognises the need to fulfill outstanding projects."
The Twitter reaction
No real surprise, shame but no surprise. https://t.co/dYM5cMiRF6
— Thomas Bisset (@tpbisset) February 2, 2017
@ChemistDruggist @PharmacyVoice @NPA1921 is there no way we (the profession) can keep that amazing team together. Esp at this time
— Sanjay Ganvir (@sanjaypganvir) February 2, 2017
A real shame for #CPhcy to lose @PharmacyVoice team's brill work; especially the timing couldn't be any worse https://t.co/t3479SVChk
— Rekha Shah (@KcwLpc) February 2, 2017
What does this mean for the sector?