Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) chief executive Sue Sharpe will stand down at the end of the year.

The news was posted yesterday (9 May) on the PSNC Twitter feed following her announcement to the committee at its monthly London meeting. No other details were given.

Commenting on her decision to resign, National Pharmacy Association chairman Ian Strachan said: " We are indebted to Sue Sharpe for her years of tireless service in this sector, during which time she has been a passionate advocate for community pharmacy and all that it stands for.

"In all the long years of her service, she has never lost sight of the fundamental truths of our sector – including the fact that the safe supply of medicines remains the core role of community pharmacy and should never be split apart from pharmaceutical services.

She is an exceptionally capable leader who will be sorely missed."

John D’Arcy, managing director, Numark, highlighted Sharp's outstanding contribution to pharmacy. "Community pharmacy has a lot to be thankful for as a result of the hard work, commitment and dedication shown by Sue and whilst recognising she will be in post for a little while yet, we wish her all the best for the future," he said.

D'Arcy also emphasised the challenge ahead: "With an NHS in crisis and a community pharmacy offering that is poorly understood by government, we need to make sure that we secure an engagement and alignment with Department of Health and NHSE which sees pharmacy fully recognised and properly rewarded for what it does. Therefore, we need a successor of a high calibre to fill the very large gap created by Sue's departure."