Joan Peppard is Chief Pharmacist in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Co Offaly and the President of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists. She commenced a 3 year term of office from June 2015. Ms. Peppard has twice been the head of the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland in the position of President. Prior to joining the EAHP Board she was one of the lead delegates for Ireland within the EAHP annual General Assembly, and played an active role in the conduct of EAHP educational and research activities at the national level. HealthManagement asked Ms. Peppard our seven questions:
1. What are your key areas of interest and research/assignment? 
The key area of interest is the provision of high quality medication management to patients in European Hospitals. Projects underway at the moment include the development of a Common Training Framework to enable the cross border recognition of hospital pharmacy specialisation qualifications across Europe. Another project to promote high quality medicine management as part of the multidisciplinary team is in publicising and supporting the implementation of the 44 European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy in all hospital pharmacies. On a day-to-day basis medicine shortages and counterfeit medicines are of significant concern.
2. What are the major challenges in your field?
Hospital Pharmacy has changed dramatically in the last number of years but this change is not always visible. Moving from the invisible pharmacist to universal recognition as an essential member of the multidisciplinary team is a major challenge. Too often it seems that while the value of enabling pharmacists to have enhanced roles in areas such as antimicrobial stewardship, medicines counselling or prescribing support are understood in terms of the literature and evidence, the pace of change in systems and practices to make this reality, remain disappointingly slow. In that sense, making change happen is the challenge.
3. What is your top management tip?
Walk the talk – it is important to lead by example and demonstrate a belief in and commitment to the role.
4. What would you single out as a career highlight?
Right now a career highlight is being elected as President of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists but this is a difficult question to answer. It depends on the perspective – personal, recognition by a patient and recognition by peers are all different highlights. One career highlight was getting my first post in hospital, another was a thank you letter from a patient and another was when I was President of the Hospital Pharmacists Association Ireland. I think all highlights have come from making a difference, whether it was small or large.
5. If you had not chosen this career path you would have become a…?
I think an accountant as I have always had an interest in both financial and management accounting as related to medication management.
6. What are your personal interests outside of work?
Socialising with friends and family is always enjoyable. I enjoy gardening and cycling but only when the sun is shining.
7. Your favourite quote?     
I enjoy Oscar Wilde so ‘I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.’

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Zoom On, Joan Peppard, European Association of Hospital Pharmacists, EAHP, Pharmacists, Hospitals Zoom On: Joan Peppard, President, European Association of Hospital Pharmacists 2015-2018