Principal Pharmacist

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated clinical pharmacist to work with the Chief Pharmacist and Project Management Office in the Principal Pharmacist – Medicines Efficiency role. This newly created post as lead for the Medicines Efficiency Team will support the Trust Pharmacy department, clinicians and PMO team in delivering biosimilars switch and medicines efficiency programme, delivering cost‑effective switches and ensuring best value in the use of high‑cost medicines, particularly biologics and biosimilars. You will be expected to work across the Frimley Health Trust sites. Main Duties Support the strategic development of the department, both within the Trust and within the wider Integrated Care System. Responsibilities Oversee the identification, implementation and evaluation of medicines optimisation initiatives and efficiency schemes across the Trust, including tracking outcomes and reporting to stakeholders. Update and inform the Trust’s Medicines Value Group (MVG) to coordinate the strategic approach and tracking of savings delivery for the medicines efficiency programme. Work collaboratively with pharmacy, medical, nursing and project management office colleagues to promote safe, effective and value‑based prescribing of high‑cost drugs, supporting improved outcomes and reduced harm. Provide leadership and line management to the medicines efficiency team, ensuring delivery of agreed workstreams and development of team members. Manage relevant financial and workforce resources within the Pharmacy department to support effective service delivery and ensure achievement of cost improvement targets. Work with the Formulary Pharmacist and the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee, particularly in relation to high‑cost and specialised medicines. Ensure timely reporting to NHS England and NHS Frimley ICB on agreed cost‑saving initiatives, including audits and progress updates. Lead a programme of horizon scanning projects to identify biosimilar and medicines savings opportunities, including patent expiries and market entry. Support the development of Trust‑wide policies and pathways for the safe and effective introduction of biosimilars, working with the ICB and NHS England Medicines Optimisation Teams to align procedures and pathways related to medicines. Provide specialist advice on commissioning and reimbursement mechanisms (e.g. BlueTeq, home‑care contracts), ensuring financial and operational readiness for new high‑cost drugs. Produce detailed monthly forecasts of potential and realised savings from biologic switches and prepare variance analysis reports for review by senior leads. Oversee the completion of Quality Impact Assessments for proposed medicines value savings, ensuring a wide range of complex considerations and factors are assessed to implement medicines savings effectively. Design and deliver detailed implementation plans for each biosimilar switch, including stakeholder mapping, projected benefits, communication strategies and patient switch schedules. Lead or facilitate divisional switch meetings, track project milestones and escalates issues to the Medicines Value Group or Chief Pharmacist as required. Analyse prescribing data at specialty level (e.g. Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Dermatology) to inform the prioritisation of switches and monitor trends. Essential Qualifications Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Postgraduate clinical diploma or equivalent Registered Independent Prescriber Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Pharmacy degree (master’s level, 4 years) Desirable Qualifications Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Formal leadership and management qualification Professional Experience Significant post‑qualification experience working as a pharmacist in a clinical environment Experience in producing horizon scans or commissioning plans for high‑cost medicines Able to provide specialised clinical pharmacy services within own area of expertise, including prescription prescribing, review, dispensing and supply, and to give highly specialised advice to clinicians and patients on the safe and effective use of medicines, in line with medicines legislation and risk management principles Proven medicines‑related risk management, incident investigation and audit Experience of training others Ability to recognise areas for development of current practice Management of staff including recruitment and appraisal Experience with managing Individual Funding Requests Experience of leading guideline development and implementation Skills & Knowledge Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability and confidence to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, from patient to hospital consultants Good interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills Ability to work on own and as part of a team Ability to compile reports or cases where data is presented effectively based on evidence‑based information Excellent organisational skills Ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines Ability to work under pressure and cope with stressful situations Additional Desirable Skills Excellent IT skills Working experience with e‑prescribing software Evidence of interest in research Knowledge of human resource policies and procedures Special Requirements Essential: Able to work at weekends and to participate in bank holiday working Desirable: Ability to travel between sites Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Salary and Benefits Pay scheme: Agenda for changeBand: Band 8bSalary: £64,337 to £74,415 per year, including fringe HCASContract: Fixed term, 24 monthsWorking pattern: Full‑time Working at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Employer: Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustLocation: Frimley Park Hospital, Portsmouth Road, Frimley, GU16 7UJ Application Information Reference number: 151‑FM. Date posted: 12 December 2025. #J-18808-Ljbffr