The Drug Safety Research Unit (DSRU) has announced the appointment of Linda Härmark as its new director.
Härmark joins the DSRU, which advises pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities and public health organisations on drug safety issues, from the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, where she has most recently been serving as deputy director.
Härmark is a pharmacist by training and brings more than 20 years of pharmacovigilance experience to the role, which she will be taking on in April. She succeeds Saad Shakir, who has held the position for 26 years.
Commenting on her latest venture, Härmark said: “I’m honoured to be named the new director of the DSRU and to continue the important work that… Shakir has dedicated his career to. Now more than ever, we must protect the safety of patients and communicate the safe and effective use of medicines not only in the UK but around the world.
“I am looking forward to working with the team and supporting them in delivering efficient and robust studies to increase the knowledge about adverse drug reactions.”
Ken Paterson, chair of trustees of the DSRU, added: “We are delighted to welcome… Härmark to the DSRU. Her impressive contributions to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre and the wider world of medicines safety monitoring make her an ideal successor to… Shakir.”