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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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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Elen Jones to become pharmacy dean at HEIW
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. After 11 years at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Elen Jones will be leaving the organisation in October to take up the position of pharmacy dean at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW). Paul Bennett, chief executive of the RPS, said: “While we are exceptionally sorry to see Elen leave RPS after eleven years of loyal service, joining initially as our principal policy advisor in Wales and progressing her career through roles such as policy & practice lead to director for Wales, and currently as our acting director of pharmacy. I am delighted to celebrate with Elen her successful appointment as the new HEIW pharmacy dean. “Elen has grown immensely as a leader in her time with RPS and I look forward to watching her flourish still further in her new position and to her continued support as a Fellow of RPS in our journey towards establishing the future Royal College of Pharmacy.” Jones said: “After over a decade at the RPS, including my time as acting director of pharmacy, director for Wales and policy lead for Wales, I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together. From leading the development of the 'Pharmacy Vision for Wales' to conducting the independent review of clinical hospital pharmacy services, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to meaningful change in practice. I’ve also valued the opportunity to work on GB-wide initiatives, such as environmental sustainability and supervision, and to advocate for our profession in political and media arenas. “As I step into the role of dean of HEIW in October, I do so at a pivotal time for pharmacy, with the advent of prescribing rights for newly qualified pharmacists and the expanding role of pharmacy technicians. My passion for education and training, shaped by years of lecturing at Cardiff University and ongoing collaboration with pharmacy schools, continues to drive me. I look forward to advancing pharmacy workforce, education and practice for the future. “I remain deeply committed to RPS’ vision and mission and will continue to support the transition to a royal college, both in my new role and as a proud member and Fellow. I want to sincerely thank all my colleagues and friends at RPS for making my time here so rewarding.” RPS will begin recruitment to the post of director for Wales and the role of director of pharmacy in due course. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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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.