Leyla Hannbeck has been appointed as chief pharmacist at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).

Leyla graduated as a pharmacist from Uppsala University in Sweden and worked in medicines information and community pharmacy in Finland and Sweden before moving to the UK.

She worked for both the multiple and independent community pharmacy sector in the North East of England where she held various management positions on an area level.

She took up the role of head of information services with the NPA in 2010 and has held the position of head of pharmacy services since 2012.

As chief pharmacist, Leyla is now accountable for all pharmacy practice related content and services at the NPA. She will represent the organisation and its members to stakeholders and undertake a professional leadership role to ensure that NPA members are kept abreast with changes related to pharmacy policy and practice.

Leyla continues to be responsible for the NPA Pharmacy Services Department, and also acts as the medication safety officer for independent pharmacies in England.