The Department of Health has announced the reappointment of five Non-Executive Members and an extension to the term of appointment of a sixth Non-Executive Member to the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Ms Alison Ragg, Non-Executive (Registrant) Member; Mr Mark McCrudden, Non-Executive (Registrant) Member; Mr Jonathan Patton, Non-Executive (Lay) Member and Vice President; Mr Barry Mimnagh, Non-Executive (Registrant) Member and Ms Chanel Jones, Non-Executive (Registrant) Member's reappointments commenced on 1 March 2023 and will end on a date not later than 28 February 2027. Mrs Carol Moore, Non-Executive (Lay) Member's extension to her term commenced on 1 March 2023 and will end on a date not later than 29 February 2024.

The PSNI Non-Executive Member are remunerated by an attendance fee. Attendance at meetings up to 4 hours duration attracts a fee of Pound 118 and meetings over 4 hours Pound 235. Training and induction days attract a fee of Pound 118. The Non-Executive Member role carries a time commitment equivalent to 12-16 days per annum.          

The procedure for these appointments is not bound by the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland, however, appointments are made in the 'spirit of the Code'. The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland was established by the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Northern Ireland) 1925, and has been based at 73 University Street, Belfast since 1933. It is the regulatory and professional leadership body for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. Objectives of the Society include, amongst other matters, to advance chemistry and pharmacy and promote pharmaceutical education and the application of pharmaceutical knowledge, while safeguarding the interests of the members in the Society.

It maintains a register of over 2800 pharmacists, 140 pre-registration trainees and over 550 pharmacy premises across the country.

The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland comprises of 14 Non-Executive Members (7 registered persons and 7 lay members).