Richard Vincent, CEO and Managing Director of API, one of Australia’s major pharmaceutical wholesalers has been appointed as the new Chair of the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) Board.
In line with the NPSA’s rotation policy, Sigma CEO and Managing Director, Mark Hooper will step down from his role as Chair but will continue to serve on the Board.
“The Board extends sincere thanks to Mark Hooper for his excellent leadership of our industry association, which most recently has seen successful completion of the important 7th Community Agreement (7CPA) negotiations with government,” says Mr Vincent.
Mr Vincent has a thorough knowledge of the sector and of the importance of maintaining the supply chain for the benefit of patients everywhere, and The Pharmacy Guild of Australia congratulates him on the appointment.
“More than any other, 2020 has put strains on the medicine supply chain, including through the bushfires and now the Covid-19 pandemic, and we appreciated the collaborative approach taken by wholesalers and the NPSA in dealing with the challenges that have been thrown at the sector,” says George Tambassis, National President of the Pharmacy Guild.
“We congratulate Richard, and his Deputy Chair, Brett Barons of Symbion, and look forward to working with them both. We also thank the outgoing Chair, Mark Hooper, for his service to the sector at the helm of the NPSA.”
As the peak body of Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme wholesalers, the NPSA plays a vital role in the success of the PBS and the timely and equitable delivery of medicines to all Australians through 5,800 community pharmacies.
“The broad supply task for PBS medicines is a huge logistical challenge, which the wholesalers and the NPSA have risen to year after year,” adds Mr Tambassis.
