TORONTO — The Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) has named Andrew Gall as chief executive officer.

OPA said late Monday that Gall is slated to take the reins as CEO on May 1. The association is Canada’s largest advocacy organization and professional development and drug information provider for pharmacists.

Andrew Gall

“On behalf of the board of directors and the membership of OPA, I’m very pleased to welcome Andrew Gall to the Association,” Sean Simpson, chairman of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. “Our profession has seen significant change over the past decade, but there is still a lot of opportunity for pharmacists to do more. I’m confident that the skills and leadership that Andrew brings to this role will serve our membership and our association well as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that serve the health care needs of Ontario patients.”

Gall joins OPA from his current position at vice president of finance and administration at Health Shared Services Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres). Prior to that, he spent nine years with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.

His previous experience includes roles with the pharmaceutical, construction and not-for-profit health care industries. He has more than 20 years of experience in general management, finance, business development, strategy, governance and risk management.

OPA noted that Gall will focus on helping the association achieve the goals set out in its most recent strategic plan, including further expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice.

“Pharmacists are among the most trusted and accessible health care professionals, but they continue to be an underutilized resource within our system,” Gall commented. “I look forward to working with the membership and staff at OPA to ensure that Ontario’s pharmacy professionals are working to the full extent of their scope, and to help drive the continued evolution of pharmacy practice in this province so that our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are empowered to deliver the best possible care to their patients.”