Archive 2016

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland appoints new Registrar

July 19, 2016

The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator, has announced the appointment of a new Registrar and CEO, Niall Byrne.

Mr Byrne has an extensive background in regulatory affairs, organisation development and corporate governance.  Most recently he has held positions as Head of Corporate Services and State Boards with the Public Appointments Service and as Deputy Director of Regulation at the Health Information and Quality Authority, where he was responsible for the regulation of residential services for older people and for adults with disabilities.  He previously worked for almost ten years with Cheshire Ireland, a HSE-funded voluntary organisation which provides support and accommodation services to people with physical and neurological disabilities. He has also held management and operational positions in the Department of Social Protection and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. He is also active in the voluntary sector where he is currently the Chair of the Board of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of Scouting Ireland.

Announcing the appointment, the President of the PSI, Dr Ann Frankish said “I am delighted to announce Niall’s appointment as Registrar and CEO. Niall’s knowledge of the public sector landscape and his track-record in regulation and organisation development will be beneficial as we continue to ensure a strong regulatory framework within pharmacy.  Together with the Council, I look forward to working closely with Niall in his leadership of the organisation.”

She continued, “It is nearly ten years since the commencement of the 2007 Pharmacy Act, which has required the PSI to establish robust regulatory measures to fulfil its role. This has included the development of a complaints and fitness-to-practise system and setting new standards in pharmacist education, training and CPD that support the changing role of pharmacists and the expansion of pharmacy services for the benefit of patients and the public.”

In welcoming the new CEO, the President thanked Damhnait Gaughan who served as interim CEO for 8 months and all the staff who have taken the PSI to its current stage.

Niall Byrne said, “Since the introduction of the 2007 Pharmacy Act, the PSI has established itself as the statutory regulator of pharmacists and of pharmacies. In this period, PSI has proven itself to be effective in its primary function of protecting the health and safety of the public. My role now is to lead the organisation over the next stage of its development as we work with the relevant stakeholders to achieve the PSI vision which is to ensure that pharmacy services are delivered in a competent, professional and ethical manner and to the highest standards of quality. We will remain focused on building and maintaining the confidence of the public, of the pharmacy profession, and of other stakeholders within the healthcare system, and I look forward to contributing to our upcoming programmes of robust and effective regulation together with support for evidence-based professional development.”

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