I am standing for the RPS English Pharmacy Board. This is why

As you may know I am standing for the RPS English Pharmacy Board elections.

So many people have asked me if they can vote, many of them are not RPS members. Others that are members have stated they never vote. And I know why.

I was one of those people over the years. During that period, nobody never asked me – why? This is an unfortunate reflection of a disconnect with our Royal Pharmaceutical Society and is mirrored by the reducing membership.

I even cancelled my membership recently and received a phone call shortly after, which I hoped was to ask me why I cancelled. But they didn't; they offered me a discount instead. When I asked if they wanted some feedback as to why I cancelled, it wasn’t part of the process – so again I wasn’t heard.

However, I renewed my membership last year after I was invited to the RPS as the keynote speaker for South Asian Heritage Week. I shared my lifeline, from a child to that moment. I took my mum and dad, as I wanted them to share the pride and humility I felt, and for them to see the part they played in making me, me.

I renewed my membership the next day because it made me realise that it is not only what the RPS should be doing for me, but what I can do for my profession – and what I can do via the RPS.

That’s one of the reasons I want to get elected: I want more of my profession to feel the pride I felt in that moment. I want RPS membership to be more meaningful, to give when it needs to, and help those to give to others when that time is right.

What I can give, is my experience of PCN and community pharmacy, my skills as a leader, my ability to inspire and my passion to not only listen and give voice to our profession but also to guide it through the incredible amount of change we are facing.

I draw my inspiration from many others but feel the following really captures the essence of why I standing for election.

If I am not myself, who will be for me?

If I am myself alone, what am I?

If not now, when?

(Rabbi Hillel)