Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Leslie Dan: ‘Challenges always exist in any profession.’

SnapshotLeslie Dan is the founder of Novopharm, a successful generic pharmaceutical company which he subsequently sold to Teva Pharmaceuticals. A noted pharmacist and philanthropist, Dan has been awarded the prestigious Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario for his charitable efforts.Describe your journey into the field of pharmacy and what inspired you to take on a leadership role in advocacy.I was always interested in becoming a pharmacist. As a young boy of 16 years of age I already worked in the pharmaceutical plant as an assistant to a chemical engineer. To become a leader in pharmacy was a matter of opportunity.What are some of the most significant challenges you have faced in your advocacy efforts, and how have you overcome them?Challenges always exist in any profession with regards to how to succeed and do well. It is important to identify what the challenges are to overcome them successfully. For each person the challenges are different. You have to deal with them individually.How do you envision the future of pharmacy practice, and what role do you see advocacy playing in shaping that future?The future of pharmacy is to become more effectively and extensively involved in the healthcare team. We have to identify the various challenges are and how to overcome them one by one.Can you share a success story where your advocacy efforts led to a tangible improvement in pharmacy practice?My contribution, if any, was the recognition that pharmacy required a new modern faculty building, and I significantly contributed to make this possible. The building was designed by the world-famous British architect Norman Foster. This was his first building in Canada. We were very lucky to find the right location, among the best on campus, at the corner of College Street and University Avenue and we also had an excellent teaching staff. In short, “all the stars were aligned," such that we had an excellent new building, perfect location, excellent teaching staff, more donors, and a general enthusiasm about the future of pharmacy. I also do constant appearances at the pharmacy student affairs and indicate that I was always interested in the progress of pharmacy. Being visible gives a moral support to the pharmacy students. They always appreciated my presence at the various affairs.What advice would you give to young pharmacy professionals who are passionate about advocacy and want to make a difference in the field?Simple: if you are interested, get into to the game and express your opinion and make your voice known.Looking back on your career, is there anything you would do differently, or any key lessons you have learned along the way?I am satisfied that what I have done greatly advanced the future of pharmacy and this is exactly what I wanted to do in my own way. There was an opportunity to help, expanding the profession of pharmacy and I took advantage of the opportunity.What advice would you give to colleagues who want to participate in advocacy efforts or initiatives?Be active and participate in your profession, do not let the world go by without your input.I just have one more comment. I'm most impressed with the high quality and intelligence of women in pharmacy today. We welcome all of them as our colleagues and leaders in the profession of pharmacy. Sherif Guorgui - FIP-Community Pharmacy Section | LinkedIn

Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Leslie Dan: ‘Challenges always exist in any profession.’

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