On 20 June 2009, at the general assembly meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Roberto Frontini took over as President of the Association.

Mr Frontini was first co-opted in 2005 and since then has served as Director of Finances and for one year as President Elect. Roberto has been instrumental in taking the association several steps further, especially regarding professionalisation. The EAHP now has 31 member countries, over 21,000 individual members, an Academy, new statutes, a staff of four and a very active office in Brussels, which is soon to be the organisation’s headquarters.

Roberto was an orchestra conductor prior to becoming a pharmacist more than 20 years ago. Since 2001, he has been the Chief Pharmacist of the University of Leipzig hospital pharmacy. He has taken the EAHP through some turbulence as Director of Finances but confirmed the present solid footing of the association at the recent Congress (see Eur J Hosp Pharm 2009;15(3):21). He plans that the EAHP will bring better value to its members, through training, advocacy and learning from one other.

Jacqueline Surugue, EAHP President for seven years, remains on the Board for another year as the Immediate Past President. She will be pursuing services instrumental to EAHP’s future, such as the organisation of the congress, the IHE project on interoperability and the next EAHP business plan.

This was her last GA as the President of EAHP and Jacqueline left the position with great emotion, expressing her warm gratitude to all EAHP colleagues. Over the past year, Jacqueline and Roberto have worked closely to ensure a smooth transition. She wished him the best of luck and warned him that he should be careful as, like her, he may get “hooked” and find himself in the job for longer than he anticipates.

Tony West was elected Director of Finances for three years, Tajda Miharija Gala was re-elected Director of Professional Development for 2 years; Vagn Handlos is continuing as Director of Education Research and Science for another three years. Well done to all!