Medicine shortages
Our work to highlight how medicine shortages affect patient care, the pressures on pharmacy teams, and recommendations to inform action.
From our President Tase Oputu
On 15 April 1841, a dedicated group of London chemists and druggists came together to form a professional body. Today, 185 years later, I am immensely proud to welcome you…
What’s next for a community pharmacist prescribing service in England?
This episode of The PJ Pod reflects on the ‘Community pharmacy independent prescribing pathfinder programme’…
Credentialing
We provide a standardised credentialing framework for pharmacists’ post-registration education and training, enabling them to be recognised for their advancing professional capabilities.
News
The latest news and updates from Royal College of Pharmacy
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Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month 2025
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Did you catch our celebrations for South Asian Heritage Month, which explores the history and identity of British South Asians? We collaborated with Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK, British Pharmaceutical Students' Association (BPSA), Female Pharmacy Leaders Network, Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists Pharmacy Technicians of Colour, UK Black Pharmacist Association and Pharmacy Business Magazine to create some fabulous pharmacy highlights for you to enjoy. ‘Roots to Routes’ event We hosted our 'Roots to Routes' event at De-Montfort University in Leicester, where we came together to celebrate the contributions of South Asian communities in pharmacy and explore the identity, heritage and journeys that shape us. Find out more here. (Roots to Routes, RCPharm) Ayurvedic medicines in the RPS Museum (RPS Museum) The RPS Museum showcased two examples of Ayurvedic medicine from its collection: Jakhme Ruz, a healing ointment from Gujarat, and Maha Sudarshan Churna, a powdered remedy from early 20th-century India. These items reflect the enduring legacy of Ayurveda and its influence on global health practices. Read the blog. Fun facts with the BPSA The BPSA shared a collection of fun facts celebrating the diversity of South Asia, highlighting the rich history, culture and contributions of each country in the region. Explore them here. (British pharmaceutical students association) Find out more about our inclusion and diversity work. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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RPS publishes 48th edition of Medicines, Ethics and Practice
This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published the 48th edition of Medicines, Ethics and Practice (MEP). Reflecting the growing complexity of pharmacy practice, this year’s edition includes essential new content on remote prescribing, pharmacy services at a distance and the safe supply of medicines in specialised and evolving areas of care. Digital MEP – always up to date The digital version of the MEP is continuously updated throughout the year, so pharmacists can be confident they’re always working from the latest information and guidance. Changes can be made at a moment’s notice, ensuring the MEP remains a dynamic and reliable resource. While physical copies are available on request, the online MEP is now the primary way to access the most up-to-date information. New content in MEP 48 includes: Guidance on remote prescribing — helping pharmacist prescribers to practice safely and effectively when working remotely; Support for new models of care in specialised settings — outlining the RPS position on structured and supported verification of medicines in specialist settings, with links to the BOPA 'Standards for the pharmacy verification of prescriptions for cancer medicines'; Pregnancy Prevention Programme (PPP) updates — details on status categories for isotretinoin to guide monitoring and treatment duration; Gender incongruence and dysphoria — new guidance to inform the supply of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues in children and young people; Pharmacy services at a distance — a new section with key information on General Pharmaceutical Council guidance for pharmacies providing services online or remotely. Rakhee Amin, MEP Editor at RPS, said: “This edition reflects the continuing evolution of pharmacy practice. We’ve worked closely with colleagues and expert contributors to ensure that the MEP remains a valuable, relevant and trusted resource. “We encourage all members to explore the easy-to-use digital MEP for up-to-date information wherever you practise.” All RPS members, regardless of membership type, have free access to the digital MEP. All Foundation Trainee members of the RPS will receive a free print copy of MEP48 as part of their membership. RPS members who are currently practising GB-based pharmacists (excluding Student, Retired, or International Members) can request a free print copy of the MEP48 by completing a quick 4-question form. For those not eligible for a free print copy, the MEP48 is available to purchase via the Pharmaceutical Press website. RPS members can benefit from a 30% pre-publication discount before the official publication date of 25 July 2025, after which the price will revert to £52.50 for members and £70 for non-members. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Position statement on facilitated self-selection of pharmacy medicines
The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharms) is supportive of the adoption of models that enable the facilitated self-selection of Pharmacy (P) medicines, where a community pharmacy chooses to implement such models.
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We are the Royal College of Pharmacy, the professional leadership body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. We exist to advance the safe and effective use of medicines, drive excellence in patient care and support pharmacists to deliver the highest standards of practice.
As the third largest workforce in healthcare, pharmacy plays a vital role in the health system, and as experts in medicines, pharmacists and their teams are central to patient care and public health. Our mission is to put pharmacy at the forefront of patient care, advancing the safe and effective use of medicines to the benefit of patients and the public.