Nitin Sodha, Managing Director, Knights Pharmacy has been elected as the Chairman of the National Pharmacy Association. He will replace Ian Strachan, who has completed his four-year term.
Mr Sodha was elected to the NPA board in 2007 representing the West Midlands.
Established in 1984, Knights Pharmacy comprises of over 50 pharmacies across the country. Mr Sodha is also a director of independent wholesaler Lexon UK which delivers drugs to more than 1,200 independent pharmacies and major groups across the UK. In 2017 Lexon reported a turnover of over £200 million. It has distribution centres in Redditch, Dublin, Durham & Leeds.
According to the NPA, Mr Sodha said,“It is an honour to be chosen to chair an organisation so central to the history and the future of independent community pharmacy. After four years as Vice Chair, I look forward to continuing to work hard, with my board colleagues and the NPA staff, in the interests of independent pharmacies and the patients they serve.”
Andrew Lane has been elected as Vice Chair. Michael Guerin will continue as Treasurer.
Comments from the sector
'I have no doubt Nitin Sodha will make an exceptional NPA chairman. He is both experienced and fiercely passionate about independent community pharmacy.'
Jay Patel, Executive Director, Day Lewis Pharmacy
'I am handing the baton over to an experienced colleague, who is passionate about community pharmacy, as are we all on this board. These are challenging times for the sector, but the new chair, myself and the entire board are ready to play our part in helping independents take the journey of change that is necessary.' Ian Strachan, outgoing Chairman, NPA
'NPA is a very strong organisation representing diverse groups of pharmacists across the country. The board of management has elected Nitin to help members overcome the challenges that they are facing during these difficult times.'
Umesh Patel MRPharmS, board member NPA and independent pharmacist from Sunderland
'Nitin has been the Vice Chair for the NPA for four years and has also successfully chaired the NPA policy and Practice Committee. As NPA's Chief Pharmacist I look forward to working with Nitin to support the cause of the independent community pharmacy sector.'
Leyla Hannbeck, Chief Pharmacist, NPA
