Raymond Anderson graduated with a BSc in Pharmacy from Queen's University Belfast in 1979, beginning what would become a distinguished career spanning nearly 45 years so far.

A community pharmacist at heart, the son of two pharmacists, his leadership has shaped the profession well beyond the dispensary.

He served as President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland from 2006 to 2009, before going on to lead the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association from 2011 to 2017, helping to reshape and modernise the organisation during his tenure.

His influence has also extended to Europe, where he was appointed by the European Commission to the European Medicines Agency's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee, a role he held for nearly six years, contributing to medicine safety at the highest level.

From advancing community pharmacy to championing professional regulation across the Commonwealth, Raymond's legacy is one of advocacy, innovation and unwavering commitment to patient care.

In the summer of 2025, he sat down with current President of the Society, Dr Geraldine O'Hare, bringing together past and present leadership for a conversation about where pharmacy has been and where it's going next.

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In this episode Caretaker Manager of the Pharmacy Forum NI, Una O'Farrell, talks to an MPharm student at Ulster University, Fatema Mohammad, and newly qualified pharmacist, Adam McCambridge (who at time of recording was awaiting the results of his Common Registration Assessment).

Together they reflect on the student and trainee experience, and discuss the opportunities for career and personal development during initial education and training.

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Professor Mike Mawhinney completed a Pharmacy degree and a Doctorate in Pharmaceutics through The Queen’s University School of Pharmacy, and later went on to complete a LL.M in Medical Law.

Having enjoyed a number of key roles within the wider pharmacy arena - including Central Services Agency, Regional Renal Unit and Clinical Fellow NI Kidney Research Fund - he was central to the establishment of, and was the first to head up, the Department of Health’s Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG). 

Since 2018 he has been Head of Regulatory Affairs at Community Pharmacy NI.

Mike sat down with his old friend and colleague, our CEO Canice Ward, to discuss his varied career, and in particular the amazing and inspiring pharmacists he has met and worked with along the way.

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In this episode you will hear Dr Geraldine O'Hare, the President of the Society, speaking to the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Northern Ireland, Professor Cathy Harrison.

Cathy began her pharmacy career journey in the 80s, spending most of the 90s working in community pharmacy before moving into the public sector.

She took over as Chief Pharmaceutical Officer in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cathy and Geraldine discuss her varied career, including her first brush with a pandemic in the 00s, as well as her participation in our International Women's Day event in March 2025.

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In the first episode of our podcast series to celebrate 100 years of the Pharmaceutical Society NI, our President, Dr Geraldine O'Hare, talks to Tom Eakin.

Tom qualified as a pharmacist in 1951, and served the early part of his career in the community sector. He took over as President of the Pharmaceutical Society NI in 1975, the year of our 50th anniversary.

After his tenure in this role he proceeded to develop world-renowned innovations in the treatment of ostomy patients, leading to the founding of Eakin Healthcare.

Tom and Geraldine discussed changes in education and training since the 1940s; what the profession was like 50 years ago; and Tom's advice for anyone starting in the profession today.

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