RPS Pharma Scene #4 - Allyship

With Mike Maguire and Farzana Haq

This episode, RPS Head of Professional Belonging Aman Doll chats with Mike Maguire and Farzana Haq. The pair formed an allyship following an RPS Allyship Webinar as part of the society's Inclusion and Diversity work.

An allyship is where individuals come together to build a relationship of trust to gain a better understanding of a marginalised individual or group and their experiences.

Mike and Farzana tell us about their experiences during their journey as allies, sharing shocking stories and experiences, as well as educational insight and explain why you should start an allyship.

About Mike

Mike Maguire is a member of the RPS English Pharmacy Board and has served as Chair of the Tees Branch of the RPS and as Chair of Tees Local Pharmaceutical Committee. He is a Community Pharmacist by background, owning his own Community Pharmacy for nearly 30 years until July 2018. 

Mike currently has a role with NHSE/I as Local Professional Network Chair for the North East and North Cumbria region helping to make the healthcare system more effective.

He is currently leading a regional initiative to increase the use and benefit of electronic Repeat Dispensing. It was in this role that Mike created the CPRS programme in the North East, which evolved into the national Community Pharmacist Consultation Service.

He formed the allyship with Farzana following an RPS Allyship Webinar.

About Farzana

A member of RPS, Farzana has 16 years’ post-registration experience and is currently a practice pharmacist in Fife, Scotland. She has also worked in community pharmacy as a manager and locum, secondary care as a clinical pharmacist and a pharmacist advisor with NHS24.

She is an active independent prescriber with an interest in cardiovascular long-term management and acts as a mentor for early career pharmacists as part of the RPS mentorship platform and carries out tutorials for GP registrars and ScotGEM students.

Farzana comes from a South Asian background and was the first member in her family to study at university. By having more pharmacists involved in an allyship she believes we may begin to achieve a fair healthcare workforce, where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Pharmacy is a very diverse profession, and she feels strongly that its leadership should represent the full breadth of our profession, which it lacks in at the moment.