The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, is the headline speaker at a major national conference jointly organised by the NPA and Pharmacy Magazine with the theme 'Forwards, In Partnership'.

NHS England’s director responsible for community pharmacy, Ed Waller, will also be among the keynote speakers.

Mr Waller, who is director of primary care strategy and NHS contracts, joins the health secretary at the conference, which will take place in Manchester on June 20. He leads on community pharmacy strategy and the community pharmacy contractual framework for NHS England.

NPA chief executive, Mark Lyonette, said: “The NPA is working in partnership with others in the sector and with the NHS, to find a positive way forward for community pharmacy. The road to success is not a journey that can be taken alone.  That is why we have chosen Forwards in Partnership as our theme. 

"We are delighted that the Secretary of State and NHS England’s director of primary care strategy have agreed to take part. We believe it demonstrates an eagerness to engage with the sector, and an understanding on his part that pharmacies are essential to the health of the nation.”

Richard Thomas, Editor of Pharmacy Magazine, said: “This is a great opportunity to learn first hand about the latest policy developments affecting community pharmacy from senior figures in Government, the NHS and the wider sector. It is also a chance for pharmacists to have their say on the things that matter most to them. This important conference comes at a crucial time for pharmacy. It is a ‘must attend’ event."

For more information and to register, go to the event page on the NPA site or email events@npa.co.uk.

The conference is a collaboration between the NPA and Communications International Group, publisher of Pharmacy Magazine, Independent Community Pharmacist, P3 Pharmacy and Training Matters.

More speakers will be announced shortly.