Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Ash Soni is to step down from his role, having confirmed today (Tuesday July 9) that he will not seek re-election at the RPS Assembly on July 18. He will continue to be a member of the RPS Assembly and English Pharmacy Board.
 
Mr Soni commented on his decision not to contest the forthcoming election: “From my personal perspective it’s the right time for me to focus on other areas where I will have the time to support the further development of pharmacy and pharmacists.”
 
He added that he planned to devote more time to his roles at the National Association of Primary Care and at NHS England, where he is local professional network (LPN) chair.
 
Mr Soni began his current term on July 18 2017, having held the role of RPS president on two previous occasions.
 
RPS chief executive Paul Bennett thanked Mr Soni for the “considerable contribution” he had made in his time as RPS president “over many years”.
 
Mr Bennett said: “Having worked with Ash during his recent presidency I know this will not be an easy decision for him to reach, but I respect his decision to not contest the forthcoming elections and in doing so give opportunity for other elected members sitting on the Assembly to take on this demanding role.”

The RPS said Mr Soni had overseen the body’s relocation from its old headquarters in Lambeth High Street to East Smithfield, which it claimed had brought “substantial savings in running costs, helping to secure the long-term future of the Society for its members".

Mr Soni was also a member of the rebalancing medicines legislation and pharmacy regulation programme board that helped secure a criminal defence around inadvertent dispensing errors in registered pharmacies.