12 May 2006

NPS today announced Dr Roger Boyd as its new Chair following his election to the position at the April meeting of the NPS Board.

“We are very pleased to announce Dr Boyd’s appointment as Chair of NPS and are confident that he will carry out his role with the highest level of commitment and expertise. He has been a member of the NPS Board since NPS’s inception in 1998 and has a thorough understanding of the QUM landscape“ said Dr Lynn Weekes, CEO.

“Dr Boyd has held several positions, namely Deputy Chair and Chair of the Audit Committee and is a current member of the NPS Evaluation Working Group and the Scientific Program Committee for the National Medicines Symposium 2006.

“He has considerable senior management and business experience in the public and private hospital sectors, making him a valuable asset to NPS and Quality Use of Medicines. He brings to his new role more than twenty years experience in hospital and health services management and, through significant college and industry association involvement over many years, has gained exposure to a range of issues facing the health system,“ concluded Dr Weekes.

Dr Boyd is replacing the NPS inaugural Chair, Dr Stephen Phillips who will continue to work with NPS as Chair of the Pharmaceutical Decision Support working group, Chair of the NPS Summit Taskforce and member of the Evaluation Working Group.

Dr Boyd’s other roles include:

• National Honorary Secretary and Chairman of the NSW State Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, as well as a member of its Federal Council
• Member of the Committee of Chairmen of NSW State Committees of Medical colleges and the Standing Committee of College Chairmen
• Membership of the APAC Continuity of Care working party; and
• Participation in a National Medication Safety Breakthrough Collaborative team.

Dr Boyd’s qualifications:

• Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBBS Sydney 1978)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA Geneva 1986)
• Master of Health Planning (MHP NSW 1988)
• Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA 1988)
• Associate Fellow, Australian College of Health Service Executives (AFCHSE 1992).

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines. We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and wellbeing. We are member-based and work in partnership with health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry and consumers. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.