RCPharm retired pharmacists group

The Retired Pharmacists Group sat outside in the sunshine by a pub
(Courtesy of the RPG Walking Group)

Get involved, stay in touch

Once a pharmacist, always a pharmacist.

Many pharmacists find it can be hard to simply “stop” upon retirement, which is why our Retired Pharmacists Group (RPG) is so popular.

Through your RCPharm membership, the RPG is the easiest way to stay in touch with old friends and colleagues, to make new friends, to stay active and remain involved with pharmacy.

Retired pharmacists also qualify for a discounted membership fee. As an RCPharm retired member, you’ll automatically be a part of the RPG, and will benefit from a wealth of benefits, many of them exclusive to former pharmacists.

To keep up with all our RPG activities, join our Facebook group.

Our Retired Pharmacists Expert Advisory Group Plus provides advice and guidance across many aspects of pharmacy practice.

Socialising, events and activities

Regular outings and events for all our retired members

Our Retired Pharmacists Group members are very sociable, and we meet up regularly to socialise, exercise and to learn.

All our welcome on our programme of tours and events.

Check back regularly for more events and details of how to book.

Get involved

To organise our events, and ensure they are accessible to retired members across the UK, we need your local knowledge and help.

If you have ideas or suggestions for future events, we’d love to hear from you – contact Jenny Boncey at [email protected].

The Retired Pharmacists’ Walking Group

Keep active and fit with our RPG Walking Group.

Our Walking Group has walked most of the length of the Thames path in the past, and we’re not about to stop.

For more details, and to join our WhatsApp group or contact Jenny Boncey on [email protected].

All walks have been organised informally, so taking part is a voluntary activity, and you do so at your own risk. Please ensure you are sufficiently fit to participate, and remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Share your knowledge and experience as a mentor

All our RPG members are an invaluable resource of pharmacy experience and knowledge. 

As a member, we encourage you to sign up for the RCPharm mentoring platform to share your knowledge and experience with other pharmacists.

Come to our annual Retired Pharmacist Conference

Exclusively for Retired members, our annual Retired Pharmacist Conference brings together RPG members from across the country.

Our next conference will be in 2027, but in the meantime we have plenty more events planned. See the RCPharm events pages and keep an eye on our regular members’ newsletter.

Get involved with the RCPharm museum

If you haven’t already visited, our famous RCPharm museum covers the fascinating history of pharmacy, with hundreds of exhibits.

You can book ahead to ensure our knowledgeable museum staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the exhibits and their origins.

The RPG is works closely with the RCPharm museum, both on projects and as members of the Steering Committee. If you’d like to get involved with this vital work, contact Mary Tompkins at [email protected].

Receive our regular RPG newsletter

We’ll email you our regular RPG newsletter, keeping you up to date with all our activities and work across the country and the profession.

Subscribe to the Pharmaceutical Journal

Of course, your RCPharm membership includes a subscription to the Pharmaceutical Journal, helping you stay up to date with all the latest news and developments in pharmacy.

Visit the RCPharm e-Library and library

As a member, you’re most welcome to come and visit our wonderful RCPharm library at our London HQ.

Browse the library, archive and print collections – a treasure trove of history.

And our online e-Library is available to consult night or day, giving you complete access to essential pharmacy texts whenever you need them.

Join us at the RCPharm annual conference

As an RCPharm member, you are entitled to a free ticket to our annual conference.

A highlight of the pharmacy calendar, join over 800 fellow pharmacists in-person, and discover everything that’s new in pharmacy.

It’s a once-a-year opportunity to catch up with old colleagues and friends – and make new ones.

But hurry – tickets for our annual conference always sell out.

Come to our regional conferences

Following the success of our annual conference in London, RCPharm now hosts three regional conferences each year: in Wales, in the Midlands, and in Scotland.

Again, as a member, you are entitled to a free ticket for each conference.

Become a committee member or events organiser

We are looking for new RPG Committee members, and also need members to help organise our events programme.

If you would like to get more involved in the RPG, please email our Chair, Lynn Haygarth, or Honorary Secretary, Alan Russell.

Pharmacist Support

Pharmacist Support is the profession’s independent charity. It provides pharmacists, former pharmacists, trainees, pharmacy students and their families with free and confidential help – from counselling and peer support to financial assistance and specialist advice.

We all need a little help sometimes, so if you or someone you know is struggling, visit pharmacistsupport.org or: