An accomplished leader in the health field has joined the organisation to lead its policy and advocacy, the PSA has announced.

Outgoing CEO of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Belinda Wood, has been appointed to the role of General Manager, Policy and Advocacy of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

Ms Wood has over 23 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having worked constructively with policy makers and political decision-makers, and built trusted relationships with stakeholders over the past three years in her role as CEO of GBMA.

She led negotiations of the GBMA’s first ever Strategic Agreement with government in 2015, and again in 2017.

Prior to holding the role of CEO, Ms Wood was the organisation’s policy director.

She has also previously worked as a policy manager for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

Ms Wood holds a medical science degree in pharmacology from the University of Sydney, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson welcomed Ms Wood’s appointment on behalf of the Board.

“The PSA Board recognises that as this is an important time for PSA and for the profession, we need the right team to deliver tangible improvement in the recognition of the role of pharmacists in the healthcare system,” he said.

“I am confident that Belinda will drive the PSA agenda of expanded roles for pharmacists, improved recognition of the expertise of pharmacists and will also lead our work on improving remuneration for pharmacists.”

Ms Wood said, “I am excited to take on this important leadership role with PSA and look forward to working with a dedicated team led by incoming CEO Graham Catt.

“The PSA Board has set a clear strategic direction to secure the organisation as a leader in health policy while continuing to set high-quality practice standards and ensuring pharmacists are supported to be the very best healthcare professionals they can be.

“My focus will be to represent PSA as the leading professional body for Australian pharmacists, advocate for pharmacists to be fully utilised in medicines management and develop opportunities for pharmacists regardless of where they practise their profession,” she said.

This article originally appeared in the Australian Journal of Pharmacy