UCA/CPNI alliance finally confirmed
The Ulster Chemists’ Association (UCA) is delighted to confirm that the UCA and Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) have agreed the creation of a new company – UCA-NI Ltd – which comes into effect from 10 May.
Over the next three years, a new body will evolve to improve representation and more fully articulate the needs and aspirations of all contractors and community pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland.
Former UCA Trustee and incoming UCA-NI Board member Dr Terry Maguire said that the creation of UCA-NI Ltd will carry forward the remit of the UCA.
‘The creation of UCA-NI Ltd will carry forward the remit of the UCA,’ Dr Maguire said, ‘and, in addition, the CPNI board will expand to accommodate four former UCA Executive members, who will make a strong and constructive contribution to the work of the CPNI board.
‘UCA-NI Ltd will develop a strategy to support community pharmacies currently facing many challenges, and it is our sincere hope that this merger and the synergies it will create between UCA and CPNI, will bring significant benefit to all.’
The completion of the merger followed a Special General Meeting at which CPNI members voted in favour of the alliance.
‘This is a positive and welcomed move for community pharmacy in Northern Ireland,’ said John Clark, Chairman of CPNI, ‘and I would like to thank the CPNI and UCA representatives involved in delivering on this union. Since 1901, the UCA has played a valued and much needed role in representing the needs of its members. Moving forward, we will see UCA-NI Limited continue in this remit, with the new organisation embodying all the main functions of UCA.
‘There is no question that in recent months community pharmacy has experienced particularly turbulent times and the challenges ahead are still very real. Working together the two organisations can only strengthen the professional voice of community pharmacy ensuring that we are in a stronger position to lead and support contractors to tackle these challenges.’
Caption
Photo L-R John Clark – CPNI Chairman, Dr Terry Maguire – UCA Committee Member, Gerard Greene – CPNI Chief Executive, Paul Cooper – CPNI Board Director and Cliff McElhinney – UCA President