In Memoriam: Barbara Wells

June 17, 2010 5:00 pm

NABP is sad to report that Barbara Wells, founding executive director for the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA), passed away on Monday, June 7, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. Ms Wells is remembered fondly for the energy, intelligence, and leadership she brought to her work in strengthening the regulation of pharmacy, advancing pharmacy practice, and protecting the public health.

For this service, Ms Wells was honored by NABP with the Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award at the 101st Annual Meeting held in New Orleans, LA, May 21-24, 2005. From 1995 to 2004, under Ms Wells’ leadership, NAPRA strengthened the regulation of the practice of pharmacy and successfully brought to fruition several initiatives. Ms Wells worked tirelessly to advance the protection of the public health and the impact of her work is not confined to the provinces and patients of Canada, but includes patients and pharmacy practice in the United States. Her efforts included helping to revise the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination to incorporate practice standards from Canada and the US, the adoption of a uniform drug formulary across the provinces, adoption of uniform practice standards by the provinces to support the provision of pharmacist care to all patients, and the introduction of the National Institute for Standards in Pharmacist Credentialing Disease State Management (NISPC DSM) program to increase the expertise and services of pharmacists in Canada. Further, through her work with NAPRA and participation in NABP initiatives, Ms Wells helped to cultivate a close, mutually supportive relationship between NABP and the Canadian regulatory agencies, thus positively impacting public health in both countries.

NABP honors the life and work of Barbara Wells and extends its sympathy to her family, friends, and colleagues.