Balraj Rai
Cannock,Staffordshire
Summary
UK-registered pharmacist with formal legal training and extensive experience in regulatory compliance, professional standards, evidential analysis and governance within healthcare. Experienced in interpreting statutory frameworks, assessing compliance risk, drafting structured written determinations and delivering regulatory training nationally. Seeking to transition into pharmaceutical medical compliance through a structured medical signatory training pathway, with a commitment to developing expertise in the ABPI Code of Practice, promotional material review and ethical governance of medicines communications.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant General Secretary
Pharmacists' Defence Association
Birmingham
2023.03 - Current
- Oversaw governance within national professional body for pharmacists across UK, ensuring compliance and enhancing accountability.
- Developed policy positions based on healthcare governance principles, influencing regulatory frameworks and organisational practices.
- Assess complex regulatory investigations and provide structured, evidence-based recommendations.
- Participate in regulatory and compliance decision-making aligned to statutory and professional frameworks.
- Delivered national training on regulatory investigations and professional standards, equipping participants with essential knowledge of employment rights.
- Provide internal representative training, translating regulatory case insight into structured compliance learning.
Legal and Professional Advisor
Pharmacists' Defence Association
Birmingham
2022.11 - Current
- Drafted detailed written submissions that ensured precision, objectivity, and clear application of regulatory principles, influencing decision-making processes.
- Provided regulatory and professional advice on statutory obligations, professional standards, and fitness to practise investigations, enhancing compliance and accountability.
- Interpret regulatory guidance to identify compliance gaps and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Analyse complex evidential material, applying structured reasoning and compliance risk assessment.
- Exercise independent judgement in high-risk regulatory matters.
- Support remediation planning aligned to patient safety, proportionality and professional accountability.
- Delivered national regulatory education programmes and contributed to media discussions on professional governance, promoting awareness and understanding of regulatory standards.
Policy Officer
Pharmacists' Defence Association
Birmingham
2020.05 - 2022.11
- Reviewed formal government and regulator consultations and drafted structured, evidence-based responses.
- Produced analytical policy papers that informed regulatory interpretation and guided strategic decision-making.
- Represented organisation at NHS roundtable discussions with Health Secretary, influencing dialogue on pharmacy's governance role within complex healthcare systems.
- Monitored national regulatory and healthcare policy developments, ensuring alignment with medicines governance standards.
- Interpreted statutory and professional guidance, identifying governance and compliance implications.
- Bridged frontline clinical practice with policy development, ensuring regulatory alignment and patient safety focus.
Deputy Area Manager / Pharmacy Manager
Tesco Pharmacy
East Midlands / North London
2016.11 - 2020.05
- Ensured adherence to medicines legislation, controlled drug regulations and professional standards.
- Accountable for regulatory and operational compliance within a high-volume NHS pharmacy.
- Managed clinical governance processes and regulatory reporting obligations to maintain high standards of care and compliance.
- Conducted audits, incident reviews, and compliance risk assessments to identify areas for improvement and ensure regulatory adherence.
- Deputised for Regional Pharmacy Manager, contributing to oversight of multiple branches and governance performance.
- Embedded compliance-focused practices across teams and supported service implementation within contractual frameworks to enhance service delivery.
Pharmacist
Lloydspharmacy
Various
2016.06 - 2016.11
- Applied evidence-based clinical judgement as Responsible Pharmacist, enhancing patient safety and professional standards.
- Ensured safe, effective supply of medicines, meeting statutory obligations and supporting patient health outcomes.
- Delivered NHS services in high-volume dispensary, ensuring regulatory compliance and optimal patient care.
Education
Graduate Diploma in Law -
The University of Law
London 2015.06 - 2017.06
MPharm (Pharmacy) -
University of Kent
2010.09 - 2014.06
Skills
- Regulatory interpretation and code application
- Compliance risk assessment and mitigation
- Structured evidential analysis
- Drafting formal written submissions
- Governance and professional standards oversight
- Consultation review and policy response drafting
- Cross-functional stakeholder engagement
- Training delivery on regulatory frameworks
- Independent decision-making and proportionality assessment
- Medicines legislation and healthcare governance
- Healthcare policy analysis
- Developing knowledge of ABPI Code of Practice
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant General Secretary
Pharmacists' Defence Association
2023.03 - Current
Legal and Professional Advisor
Pharmacists' Defence Association
2022.11 - Current
Policy Officer
Pharmacists' Defence Association
2020.05 - 2022.11
Deputy Area Manager / Pharmacy Manager
Tesco Pharmacy
2016.11 - 2020.05
Pharmacist
Lloydspharmacy
2016.06 - 2016.11
Graduate Diploma in Law -
The University of Law
2015.06 - 2017.06
MPharm (Pharmacy) -
University of Kent
2010.09 - 2014.06