News that the Society has transferred £100,000 to support the work of Pharmacist Support is welcomed by David Thomson, Chair of the Trustees. “The allocation of this additional resource will further help the work of Pharmacist Support in assisting pharmacists and their families affected by flooding,” he added.

For people who might be affected by the recent flooding, we give some links to useful sources of information.

Pharmacist Support, the leading independent welfare charity for pharmacists and their families, is pleased to welcome new Charity Manager, Diane Leicester, to the team. Diane replaces former Charity Manager David Qualter, who has made a significant contribution to the work of the charity since he joined the organisation in October 2007, and was instrumental in steering Pharmacist Support in its new, more dynamic direction.

The UK’s leading independent welfare charity for pharmacists and their families in Great Britain has agreed a new partnership with Action on Addiction - the only UK charity working across the addiction field in research, prevention, treatment, professional education and family support.

It has been a busy year for Pharmacist Support (the former Benevolent Fund of the RPSGB). A re-brand exercise following focus group research with over 1,000 pharmacists and a welcome extension of its services, have signified momentous change for the charity.

Pharmacist Support at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester Sept 6th & 7th 2009 - a photo round up.

Pharmacists across all sectors of practice are increasingly playing a more varied role in improving the health and wellbeing of the British public. The hectic lifestyles of the general public mean that pharmacists are taking on an increasingly wider role, including giving advice to those with no time to visit their GP, helping patients manage their medicine more effectively and handling an increasing number of prescriptions.

On May 5th the painting ’A Botanical Tablet’ by Shirley Ann Nunn, commissioned in memory of pharmacist Harry Burlinson, was presented on loan to the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences in Manchester. The painting, donated to Pharmacist Support in 1993 (then known as The Benevolent Fund) hung in the Charity’s convalescent home at Birdsgrove House. Following the sale of the property in 2006, Charity Trustees and Society Museum staff sought a new home for the painting. After much deliberation, it was decided that a move back up to Manchester where Harry spent much of his working life was a fitting one.

Following its re-launch in September, Pharmacist Support, the leading national independent welfare charity for pharmacists and their families in Great Britain, has added an additional function to its brand new website which allows pharmacists to donate online.

The Pharmacist Support team joined folks from Boots, Superdrug, UKCPA, Alliance, the RPSGB Museum and the PDA amongst others for the 67th BPSA Annual Conference in Liverpool. Armed with giveaways and questionnaires the team hit the floor at the Medical Exhibition to raise awareness of the Charity and seek out the issues affecting pharmacy students today.

A new ‘managing your debt’ fact sheet is now available on the Pharmacist Support website containing guidance on tackling your creditors, prioritising debt and setting out a realistic budget.

The UK’s pharmacists are a valued resource, providing help, advice and treatments to an ever-demanding public. But as the credit crunch takes its toll on the nation, many pharmacists are fighting to keep their heads above water.