Speakers

Raj Matharu read pharmacy at the Leicester School of Pharmacy. As an undergraduate he also worked for Boots the Chemists & Greenwich District Hospital, which gave him an invaluable insight into role of pharmacy in patient welfare. Raj joined The National Co-operative Chemists (NCC) Limited for his pre-registration year. Raj was able to see first-hand the health inequalities that existed and how pharmacy could be focal point of the community in underprivileged areas. Raj has spent his time within community pharmacy working with pharmacy contractors (CCA, AIMp and the independent sector). When the “New Pharmacy Contract” in 2005 became operational Raj began to provide pharmacy consultancy services via MAPEX. This brought Raj to the attention of Bexley, Bromley & Greenwich LPC (BBG LPC) and he was shortlisted for BBG LPC's Chief Officer. Raj was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the LPC in 2008. One of the major tasks facing the BBG LPC was the development of GP style Practice Based Commissioning Company which led to the formation of PharmaBBG LLP. Raj was involved intimately with the foundation of the PharmaBBG LLP and felt that he was be able to best serve the interests of pharmacy if stood for the position of the Board. In the inaugural meeting of PharmaBBG LLP, Raj was elected onto the Board. Raj still practices in community pharmacy and actively provides all locally commissioned services. Raj is active within Pharmacy London and is part of the Flu Team and the Pharmacy London strategy subcommittee. In January 2015, Raj was elected as Chair of Pharmacy London. At present MAPEX Pharmacy Consultancy Limited still provides consultancy services to contractors, Raj leads PharmaBB LLP as an elected Board Member, is the current CEO of BBG LPC and Chair of Pharmacy London. In 2018, Raj took the strategic decision to become the Chief Officer of Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham LPC to align to the South East London Integrated Care System. As Chief Officer of both LPCs, Raj has facilitated the incorporation of SEL Pharmacy Alliance, a provider company to work in collaboration with SEL ICB to deliver Pharmacy Care Pharmacy Services in South East London. Raj is also the General Secretary of the Guru Nanak Mission for Peace in Bromley. This is a volunteer position for the Bromley Sikh community to help bring communities of all faiths together. Raj became Superintendent Pharmacist for Westchem Pharmacy on 4th January 2022.