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BAPW appoints new chairman

The British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers has appointed a new chairman to spearhead the association’s efforts on behalf of its members.

David Coles, managing director of wholesalers Unichem, takes over the reins from Steve Dunn, who steps down after two successful years as the association’s chairman.

Mr Coles said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to be chairman of the BAPW. I’m delighted to be able to help lead the organisation into 2005.

One of my highest priorities is to work towards closer dialogue between the BAPW and those whose actions affect our members and ultimately, those who we serve: the NHS and its patients. I’m a firm believer in consultation because the more people understand our position on the issues and challenges that face our industry, and the better they understand it, the greater the chance of improving outcomes.

I also hope that under my stewardship the BAPW will be as inclusive as possible. Many of the issues facing our industry - the new contract for pharmacists, the pricing of generic and branded drugs, to name but a few - can be ameliorated by closer co-ordination between those affected. There will almost always be differences of opinions on what is good for the medicines supply sector, but it is better that we start from common cause, rather than rival camps.

Similarly, I also want to bring the BAPW and its agenda to a wider audience. We all take medicines at some point or another and many of us will need them urgently at some stage of our lives. Medicines are not like jars of jam or washing powder and doctors can’t simply run out of supplies. Patients need a steady, safe and reliable source of medicines, available around the clock right through the year. Pharmaceutical wholesalers make that happen, but not enough people know it. I will be striving to make sure that more people do.”