Professor Amira Guirguis, a leading expert in substance misuse, medicines safety, and pharmaceutical science, has been appointed Chief Scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). In her new role, Professor Guirguis will guide the Society’s efforts to keep science central to pharmacy, influencing practice, policy, and innovation with the goal of improving patient care and public health.
Professor Guirguis holds a PhD focused on the detection of Novel Psychoactive Substances and has contributed to drug policy, patient safety, and pharmacy education. She received the 2014 JPAG Geoffrey Phillips Award for her research and was the Principal Investigator for the UK’s first Home Office-licensed pharmacist-led drug checking service.
In 2020, the RPS recognized her as a “woman to watch” due to her leadership in advancing pharmacy. At Swansea University, she is the MPharm Programme Director and Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor, showing her commitment to education, science, and leadership in health and life sciences.
Professor Guirguis commented on her appointment: “As a pharmacist, scientist, and educator, I am committed to working with RPS members and stakeholders to strengthen the role of science as the foundation of our profession. I look forward to supporting innovation, research, and evidence-based practice that will improve patient safety and deliver better health outcomes for society.”
Professor Charlotte Rees, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science at Swansea University, said: “We are immensely proud of Professor Guirguis’s appointment. This is a testament to her outstanding achievements in pharmacy research, education, and policy, and to her leadership on issues of national importance such as substance misuse and patient safety.
“Amira’s appointment further highlights Swansea’s growing reputation for world-leading research and teaching in the health sciences. Her leadership will undoubtedly have a transformative impact on the profession and inspire our students and colleagues alike.”
For more information about pharmacy studies at Swansea University, visit the university’s website.