Alison Strath has been officially appointed to the role of chief pharmaceutical officer for Scotland after occupying the role on an interim basis since October last year.

The Scottish Government said professor Strath will take up her post “with immediate effect following an external recruitment process”.

She will act as the professional lead for NHS pharmaceutical care and medicines policy in Scotland and will advise the first minister, health secretary and other ministers, as well as providing “strategic leadership” to Scottish pharmacists.

Her appointment was announced alongside those of deputy chief medical officers Graham Ellis and Nicola Steedman.

Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The past year has highlighted just how important health and social care is to the work of the Scottish Government, and I’m delighted to welcome professor Alison Strath as Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and professors Graham Ellis and Nicola Steedman as our new Deputy Chief Medical Officers.

“They will all play a key role in ensuring that health and social care advice informs our work across the board and adds value to our pandemic response.”

Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith, said: “Scotland’s response to the pandemic has been informed by a strong clinical team, working around the clock and adapting to change in unprecedented circumstances.

“We’re only as strong as the colleagues who support us and I am proud to work with an incredibly dedicated team of clinicians. These permanent appointments ensure we continue the high quality work which started even before the pandemic, but which will prove vital as we recover from coronavirus.”