The new president of over-the-counter medicines manufacturers trade body PAGB has pledged to raise awareness of the 'valuable role that community pharmacy'.

Mike Knowland, whose appointment was announced by PAGB this week, has previously been the organisation's vice-president.

He has also worked with Unilever, Philips, Coty and Bayer, where he has been the general manager for Northern Europe since October 2023.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Knowland said that the value of self-care was 'increasingly' being recognised by national policy makers in government and NHS England.

'Now is an exciting time where we can really push for better support for self-care, helping to save patients waiting for GP appointments as well as saving primary care time and NHS money,' he said.

'We need to keep making the noise and driving the awareness of self-care that equips and empowers healthcare professionals and society – it’s a daily health essential.

'And that means continuing to drive education round the valuable role that community pharmacy plays, as well as the digital information tools we now have to help bridge learning gaps.'

Michelle Riddalls, PAGB chief executive, added that community pharmacy was an integral part of 'widening access to OTC medicines and providing solid, professional support in treatment options and education in self-care across communities'.

'Mike brings a wealth of experience and insight which will be enormously valuable as we work towards improving access to self-care in the UK,' she added.

'As a PAGB board member since 2021, and more recently vice-president, Mike understands this environment very well and can help drive the self-care agenda forward.'

The news comes as the organisation has launched its new five-year strategy, which will focus on supporting access to healthcare via non-GP routes, including by widening access to OTC medicines and empowering people to self-care.