Adam smiles in front of a dark background with trees and lights — (Courtesy of Adam Pattison Rathbone)

Adam Pattison Rathbone receives RPS Barnett Award 2025

Published: 9 September 2025

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is proud to announce that Adam Pattison Rathbone has been awarded the RPS Barnett Award, recognising his exceptional commitment to mentorship and professional development in pharmacy.

Adam is a clinical academic at Newcastle University who has dedicated over 15 years to developing pharmacy education and supporting the profession. He has led innovations in clinical teaching, placements and case-based learning, and has published widely on novel approaches to pharmacy education.

Adam played a key role working with senior leaders to create the new role of Ward Medicines Assistants, which has since been adopted in many NHS Trusts across England and Scotland. He was also instrumental in developing the Great North Pharmacy Research and Great North Pharmacy Careers Conferences with colleagues across North East England, which continue to support professional development across the sector.

Adam is also an active mentor through the RPS, universities and FIP, supporting colleagues through RPS credentialing, the development of their peer review skills and their growth as educational leaders. Alongside his professional achievements, he has shown remarkable commitment to lifelong learning, completing a PhD, clinical prescribing qualifications, and training in counselling to support colleagues, students and patients. His leadership, inclusiveness and dedication to others’ growth have made a lasting impact on the profession.

Adam Pattison Rathbone, said:

“It is a real honour to have been nominated for this award. Nina was an amazing inspiration to many pharmacists, including me. I hope I can continue to support others and help as many people as she did throughout her career. Thank you to those who nominated me and to all the mentees, mentors and colleagues I’ve been able to work with. It is only the support that I have received myself, from many different people, that has allowed me to go on to help and support others the way I do, so thank you.”

RPS president Claire Anderson said:

“We’re delighted to present this award to Adam. His leadership in education, research and mentorship has a profound impact on colleagues across the profession. The Barnett Award celebrates those who dedicate their time to supporting and advancing others, and Adam exemplifies that commitment.”

Created by the RPS in memory of esteemed RPS Fellow Nina Barnett, this award honours individuals who have dedicated their careers to supporting, mentoring, and advancing others within the profession.

Adam will be amongst fellow RPS Honours and Fellowship recipients invited to the RPS Annual Conference to receive his award in person.

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE, recognising his exceptional contributions to healthcare, research equity and cross-professional leadership. Mahendra is an RPS Fellow, former member of the RPS English Pharmacy Board and previously held the post of RPS Treasurer. This accolade is the RCGP’s highest award for non-GPs. Starting in community pharmacy, Mahendra transitioned to academia, where he pioneered the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Student Champions Programme, embedding evidence-based practice and tackling health inequalities across the curricula of 40 medical, pharmacy, nursing and dental schools. He earned one of the first NICE Fellowships for his early leadership. As a Board member for RPS England, Mahendra led the development of national diabetes initiatives and a diabetes toolkit, while forging partnerships across professional boundaries and internationally. During the pandemic he played a crucial role in increasing diversity for the major 'PANORAMIC' and 'PRINCIPLE' COVID-19 trials, efforts which were recognised by the World Health Organization and the United Nations. He is the founding director of the Centre for Research Equity, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, shaping national research policy, collaborating with the RCGP and forming strategic partnerships across the UK. As co-lead of the NIHR-supported Race Equity Incubator, he is driving efforts to strengthen research capacity and capability while fostering equitable career progression for Black and minority ethnic healthcare professionals. A member of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board, Mahendra is a strong supporter of RPS becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy. He is also a BMJ NHS Commissioner and Professional Advisor to England’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. HSJ named him as one of the 50 most influential BAME figures in UK healthcare today. Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE said: “This stands as one of the proudest moments of my career, and for the pharmacy profession I represent, as RPS progresses to become the Royal College of Pharmacy. I hope this recognition becomes a catalyst: for closer collaboration, for shared leadership, and for inspiring members of both our professions to think beyond traditional boundaries – at every stage of their careers. “At a time of extraordinary pressures on general practice and pharmacy, joined-up thinking and integrated leadership across our professions has never been more urgent. I’ve always sought to break silos, widen access, and drive equity, with a clear focus on improving health outcomes by tackling the deep-rooted inequalities that persist across our communities. This Fellowship, for me, is not the culmination of that long journey, but the beginning of a renewed and fresh commitment.” RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said: “I’d like to offer my warmest congratulations to Mahendra on this prestigious Fellowship, which marks his huge contribution to the profession and healthcare. His work continues to inspire a new generation of pharmacists and researchers committed to equity, innovation, and collaborative leadership. Long may it continue.”

Professor David Jones receives RPS Hanbury Medal 2025

23 May 2025

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is proud to announce that Professor David Jones, Professor of Pharmaceutical and Biomaterial Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, has been awarded the 2025 Hanbury Medal, in recognition for his outstanding scientific contributions to pharmaceutical sciences, education and innovation. Professor Jones is a leading expert in pharmaceutical engineering and biomaterials. Over his career, he has developed new ways to deliver medicines more effectively and safely — including drug-releasing implants, eye treatments for sight-threatening diseases and coatings for medical devices that help prevent infections. His work has resulted in over 70 commercialised products and devices that have improved the lives of patients around the world. He also co-founded two successful companies, Xiomateria and Re-Vana Therapeutics, which are bringing these products to market. Professor Jones is the only pharmacist to have been elected to three national academies — the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Irish Academy — a testament to his reputation across scientific disciplines. A passionate educator and mentor, he has redesigned pharmacy education programmes, supervised nearly 50 PhD students and authored widely used textbooks in pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical statistics. He has also served as Editor of the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology since 2000. In response to receiving the Hanbury Medal, Professor Jones, said: “I am both stunned and delighted to have been awarded the 2025 Hanbury Medal. Previous winners of this award have been both giants in and leaders of pharmacy and pharmaceutical research, and they have inspired me at various stages in my career. For me to join this list of winners is truly humbling. It is a great honour to have been recognised for my contributions to pharmaceutical research and education, as well as to my profession, pharmacy, to which I owe so much. I would like to sincerely thank all my work colleagues and students (both past and present), as well as my family, who have been with me throughout this journey.” Paul Bennett, RPS Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Hanbury Medal remains an important award of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in recognition of excellence in pharmaceutical science. Recipients of this prestigious award have been recognised for their pioneering work and reflects the importance that the Society places on pharmaceutical science and research, disciplines which underpin the profession of pharmacy and without which advancements in medicines and patient care would not occur. “Many congratulations to Professor Jones who joins an eminent list of past recipients going back to 1881 and whose passion for research and innovation and his pioneering work will be an inspiration to so many pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacists.” Amira Guirguis, Chair of the RPS Science and Research Committee, and Hanbury Medal panellist, said: "It was a privilege to judge the awarding of the 2025 Hanbury Medal, and Professor David Jones is a worthy winner. His pioneering research in pharmaceutical engineering and biomaterials has had a profound impact on both patient care and scientific advancement. From developing innovative drug delivery systems to mentoring the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists, Professor Jones exemplifies the values of excellence and innovation that the Hanbury Medal celebrates. “We also extend our gratitude to the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences for nominating Professor Jones, whose work continues to inspire innovation, elevate the importance of science and research, and drive excellence among pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacists." Click here for more information on the RPS Hanbury Medal Read more RCPharm news stories