Linda Härmark announced as new Director of the DSRU

We are delighted to announce that Linda Härmark will be our new Director from 22 April 2025. Dr Härmark succeeds Professor Saad Shakir who is stepping down from the position after 26 years.

Professor Shakir and Dr Härmark will work together from 1 April 2025 to ensure a smooth and efficient handover.

Dr Härmark joins the DSRU from the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre, Lareb, where she has been Deputy Director for the past four years. A pharmacist by training, Linda has over 20 years of experience in pharmacovigilance and has postgraduate qualifications including a PhD and MBA.

Dr Härmark said: “I’m honoured to be named the new Director of the DSRU and to continue the important work that Professor 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.”

Professor Ken Paterson, Chair of Trustees of the DSRU, added:“We are delighted to welcome Dr 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 Professor Shakir.”