The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) welcomes the election of Des Bailey, owner of Selwyn Village Pharmacy in Christchurch, as the new Chair of the Southern Division (Canterbury).
Mr Bailey is originally from Zimbabwe and studied pharmacy at Rhodes University in South Africa. He moved to New Zealand in 2000 after working in his father's busy pharmacy.
He is looking forward to being Chair of the Canterbury Division, even though the past few months have been challenging for all Christchurch pharmacies.
"I know that many pharmacies have been damaged, or have had to relocate, but I have been truly impressed by the way pharmacy owners and their staff have been able to work together and continue to provide excellent service to their communities," says Mr Bailey.
"I believe adversity can be an accelerator and the flexibility and tenacity shown by my pharmacy colleagues in Canterbury has placed pharmacists in the front line with a host of other health professionals. Our recent ability to dispense emergency supplies of medicines without a prescription was a real endorsement of our standing in the health system."
Mr Bailey sees pharmacy in the future offering, and being paid for, more professional services, such as smoking cessation, vaccinations and educational support, and working closer with GPs in a vibrant and successful health team.
The Southern (Canterbury) Division encompasses Canterbury, South Canterbury and the West Coast and is focused on member engagement in the region. Mr Bailey will take up his position after the Annual General Meeting in June.
Media release from Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand.