Former Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Ash Soni has been elected president of the National Association of Primary Care, it was announced on Friday (September 23).

Mr Soni, who held the role of RPS president over three terms before standing down in July 2019, has held a number of roles within the NAPC over the past 10 years, including pharmacy lead, council member and member of the executive committee.

He was elected to the role at NAPC’s annual general meeting last week, replacing Dr Johnny Marshall and becoming the first pharmacist to head up the organisation.

Mr Soni said: “I’m very proud to be the first pharmacist to hold the position of NAPC president.

“It demonstrates how much the NAPC believes in the breadth of the primary care family and reinforces the vital role of pharmacy in delivering true integration: the right care in the right place at the right time.

“I’m incredibly excited about the future of NAPC. We are ahead of the game, having led the development of neighbourhood care, population health and integrated working for over two decades.

“Our work has led to new, innovative care models and influenced national policy. I look forward to seeing this work continue to grow and flourish.”

Outgoing NAPC president Dr Johnny Marshall said: “It’s been an honour to serve as president of NAPC at such an exciting time for the organisation.

“NAPC’s work across the country to promote and support a population health-based neighbourhood approach is improving outcomes for patients and experiences of our staff. We are now getting a glimpse of what a whole health and care system looks like, and NAPC has been at the heart of this transformation.

“Ash’s appointment as NAPC president will bring enormous value. His skills and experience will strengthen the breadth of knowledge and diversity and ensure pharmacy has the representation it deserves.”