Alliance Healthcare non-executive adviser, Mike Smith FRPharmS, celebrates 50 years in the pharmacy profession this year.

Mike, who started his career with a one-year apprenticeship at Boots in Edrington, Birmingham, and then in 1967 started working at Bannister & Thatcher in the West Midlands, recently received a letter from the immediate past president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Martin Astbury, congratulating him on reaching the 50-year milestone.

“Mike has been a RPS member for 50 years and is an outstanding pharmacist and person. He has made numerous positive impacts across the profession and the Society,” Mr Astbury said.

Mike said: “So much has happened in that time, and continues to happen now as the pharmacy profession faces significant challenges. But one thing remains constant – our dedication to patient healthcare. I’m very proud of the value community pharmacy can deliver, and the positive changes I have helped contribute to along the way.”

Mike has been involved with Alliance Healthcare since 1988 and was chairman from 2003 to 2010.