Wales’ New Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Announced

Andrew Evans has been appointed Wales’ new Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, the Welsh Government has announced. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Andrew is a public health specialist and is currently Principal Pharmacist at Public Health Wales, a post he has held since 2012. He has been acting Chief Pharmaceutical Officer since January 2016, following the retirement of Roger Walker. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Andrew will be responsible for providing ministers with professional and independent advice on all aspects of medicines, including their regulation. He will also be responsible for leading the modernisation of pharmaceutical services and the continuing professional development of staff working in the sector. His start date is expected to be August 8th. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Andrew Evans said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I am delighted to be appointed as the next Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Pharmacists in Wales are taking a central role in the Welsh Government’s drive to provide patients with high-quality care promptly and closer to home. I look forward to working with pharmacists and other health and care professions, building on the significant improvements we have already made. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is an honour to be given this opportunity to help improve the health and well-being of the people of Wales.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​