Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Dr Keith Ridge BPharm MSc PhD DSc (Hons) FRPharmS is Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPhO), the professional lead within the Department of Health on implementation of the Government’s Pharmacy in the Future programme.

About Dr Keith Ridge: Became a registered pharmacist in 1988, after completing training at University of London’s School of Pharmacy. Undertook a PhD (University of Manchester) on the evaluation of pharmacy automation at University of Manchester.

Was Chief Pharmacist at North Glasgow University Hospital, where he was a member of the Scottish Medicines Consortium and part of the National Pharmaceutical Forum. The Forum advised the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland.

Was Chief Pharmacist at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust working on a new patient centred model for pharmacy services.

Worked at the Department of Health earlier in career as a professional lead on prescribing and hospital pharmacy. Also had roles in community pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry.

Became Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at the Department of Health in March 2006.

Keith’s achievements as CPhO so far include:

  • led the development of the General Pharmaceutical Council; an independent regulator for pharmacy
  • led the development of a highly regarded White Paper for pharmacy: Pharmacy in England
  • led the Modernising Pharmacy Careers Programme, which includes a review of pre-registration training for Pharmacists and proposals for reform
  • led the development of the public health role for pharmacy, including the development of the ‘healthy living pharmacy’ concept
  • contributed to UK planning process for pandemic and seasonal influenza

Read the latest news from the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer below

NPC publishes reports into controlled drugs

The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published three reports commissioned by the Department of Health, concerning the safe management and use of controlled drugs in the ambulance and paramedic sector, … Read more → – NPC publishes reports into controlled drugs

Published: 16 February, 2012

Consultation regarding entry to NHS pharmaceutical market

The Department of Health is consulting on draft regulations concerning entry and exit in the NHS pharmaceutical market. The NHS Act 2006 requires the Secretary of State for Health to … Read more → – Consultation regarding entry to NHS pharmaceutical market

Published: 31 October, 2011

European Antibiotic Awareness Day – 18 November 2011

Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmacist, and Professor Mike Sharland and Dr Cliodna McNulty, from the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections, have written to the Chief Executives … Read more → – European Antibiotic Awareness Day – 18 November 2011

Published: 6 October, 2011

Guidelines for design of in-patient prescription charts

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director, Dame Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer and Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer have written to colleagues about guidelines for design of in-patient … Read more → – Guidelines for design of in-patient prescription charts

Published: 9 September, 2011