A former HSE CEO has been appointed chair of the body tasked with managing the country’s medicines verification system.
Paul Reid succeeds the late Prof. Pat O’Mahony as independent chair of the board of the Irish Medicines Verification Organisation (IMVO).
Mr Reid served as HSE CEO from May 2019 to December 2022, where he led Ireland’s health service through the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 cyber-attack which affected the data of over 90,000 individuals.
He will hold his new role alongside his current position as chair of national planning authority An Coimisiún Pleanála, and chair of Ashdale Care, an organisation which provides specialist residential care services for children and young people.
“I’m delighted to be joining the board of IMVO as chair,” said Mr Reid. “The organisation plays a key role in protecting the public and patients, which is something that I’m highly committed to.”
IMVO was established in 2017 to manage the Irish Medicines Verification System (IMVS) and works to ensure a secure and effective medicines verification system that protects patients from falsified medicines entering the legitimate supply chain in Ireland.
“We are delighted to welcome Paul as independent chair of IMVO,” added IMVO chief executive Leonie Clarke.
“His depth of experience, knowledge of healthcare in Ireland and unwavering commitment to public service will be invaluable as we work towards our vision of a secure and sustainable medicines supply chain where patients are confident about the authenticity of prescription medicines they receive in the Irish healthcare system.”
Meanwhile, the results of the recent elections to the Medical Council have been announced. Dr Ehtesham Izhar Khan has been elected to the council’s anaesthesia specialist division. Dr Mai Mannix was elected to the public health medicine division, while Prof John Conor O’Keane will represent the pathology or radiology division of the council.
More than 6,000 registered doctors voted in the elections, which took place because of two existing vacancies on the council, while another was due to become vacant on May 31. The newly appointed council members will begin their term on June 1.
Medical Council CEO Dr Maria O’Kane offered her congratulations to the three successful doctors. “I know the newly elected members will have a great impact on strengthening patient safety and shaping the future of the Medical Council through their contributions. I look forward to working with all our members over the coming years.
“Council members hold responsibility for making decisions and upholding principles that protect patients and support the highest standards of medical practice.
“We are very grateful to all those who put themselves forward for election, and I hope all our election candidates continue to engage with the Medical Council in the future. Our thanks also to the doctors on our register who cast their vote.”
The Medical Council is made up of 25 members, six of whom are elected positions, five appointed by the Minister for Health through the public appointments service, one nominated by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, two nominated by the HSE, two by the Medical Schools Council and one nominated by each of the following: HIQA, NMBI, CORU, ICGP, RCSI, RCPI, College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, Private Hospitals Association and the Royal Irish Academy.
Original source: ie