Dr Catherine Duggan presented the RPS Charter Award
An ‘inspiring ambassador’ for the pharmacy sector has been presented a prestigious award for her 'outstanding leadership' and work advancing pharmacists’ roles in vaccination, self-care and patient-facing services across the globe.
Dr Catherine Duggan was presented the RPS Charter Award at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (RPS) annual general meeting on Tuesday night.
The RPS said that she had received the award – one of the ‘highest honours’ the society gives out – in recognition of her outstanding leadership, global impact and unwavering commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession worldwide.
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Dr Duggan has served as chief executive officer of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) since 2018, leading a global network of 160 member organisations and allied institutions representing 5.5 million pharmacy professionals.
The RPS said that as chief executive of FIP Dr Duggan had strengthened partnerships with key bodies including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNESCO, and was a strong advocate for improving access to safe and effective pharmaceutical care.
She led FIP through the Covid pandemic, oversaw major organisational reform, and established clearer strategic direction for the federation, it added.
Her global impact includes advancing pharmacists’ roles in vaccination, self-care and patient facing services, the RPS said. Under her leadership, the number of countries enabling pharmacy-based vaccination grew from 34 to 56. In September 2020, she also launched FIPWiSE to support women in pharmaceutical sciences and education.
RPS chief executive Paul Bennett said: ‘Dr Duggan has made an extraordinary contribution to pharmacy over more than two decades.
‘Her visionary leadership, dedication to advancing global practice and ability to bring people and professions together have had an enduring impact both in the UK and internationally.
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‘She is an inspiring ambassador for our profession and is truly deserving of the RPS Charter Award.’
Before joining FIP, Dr Duggan held several roles at the RPS including director of professional development and support, and interim country director for England.
Dr Catherine Duggan said: ‘I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this award and regard this as a huge recognition of work I have always been proud and privileged to do for my profession.
‘Receiving the RPS Charter Award during this year of transition for the RPS to a royal college represents such a culmination of shared endeavour and vision of so many of us in the recent decades.’
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The RPS is due to become the Royal College of Pharmacy on 15 April.
The election of the first president of the future royal college was announced at the end of March, following the establishment of advisory councils for England, Scotland and Wales.
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