Chief Pharmaceutical Officer designated as Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Date published: 3 June 2025

Northern Ireland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) Professor Cathy Harrison has been designated as a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for distinction in the profession of pharmacy.

Being appointed a Fellow is one of the highest accolades that can be paid to a member of the RPS, the professional leadership body for pharmacists in Great Britain. 

Professor Harrison received this award in recognition of her very significant leadership and sustained contribution to the development of pharmacy practice in Northern Ireland and beyond. As Fellowships are based on nominations from members, it also signifies the high esteem in which members are held by their peers.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt said: 

“This award is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the outstanding leadership that Professor Cathy Harrison has provided as my senior professional advisor on pharmaceutical and medicines issues, as well as to the HSC and wider pharmacy profession.

“Cathy’s work has shaped key HSC strategies and services, including the Medicines Optimisation Quality Framework (MOQF), Pharmacy Workforce Review, the rollout of General Practice pharmacists as part of the multidisciplinary team, allowing for improved outcomes for patients.”

Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, said: “I warmly congratulate Cathy on being awarded the honour of Fellowship of the RPS, which is a mark of the high esteem in which Cathy is held by her professional colleagues.

“Cathy has distinguished herself in her role as CPO, having promoted the pharmacy profession to an exceptional degree. She has delivered effective strategic leadership, planning and decision making to deliver the optimal contribution of pharmacy professional practice to population health in Northern Ireland.”

Professor Cathy Harrison said: 

“I am proud to be a member of the RPS and have greatly valued the professional support they have provided to me throughout my career. At a time of change and new beginnings in pharmacy professional leadership across the UK, I am humbled to have received this accolade and grateful to colleagues who have supported me throughout my career. I offer my continued best wishes to the RPS as they work to transition to a new Royal College of Pharmacy that will strengthen the voice of pharmacy in healthcare transformation and maximise the contribution of the pharmacy profession to patient care.”