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-led group to tackle racial disparities for Black pharmacy students
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has convened the first meeting of its cross-sector Differential Attainment Oversight Group, dedicated to tackling differential attainment among Black student and trainee pharmacists.
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RPS response to Government Spending Review
This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Commenting on the government’s spending review, Professor Claire Anderson, RPS president, said: “Today’s spending review is a testament to the crucial role of our health service and how patient access to care is consistently seen by the public as one of the most pressing issues facing our nation. “All eyes will now be turning to the forthcoming ten-year health plan, and there are key questions for how pharmacists and all health professions will be enabled to help deliver the NHS of the future. “While the latest community pharmacy funding settlement is a vote of confidence in the sector, we must acknowledge that ongoing economic pressures on pharmacies continue to bite. The sector still needs fair and sustainable resourcing in the longer term to bridge the funding gap so it can deliver the government’s ambitions. “We have seen some welcome progress with Pharmacy First and, with the right support and investment, an enhanced community pharmacist prescribing service will help deliver the government’s ambition to deliver more care in the community. “This should come alongside an upgrade to digital systems in hospital pharmacy, including the long-overdue roll-out of electronic prescribing. “There has been positive progress on issues such as pharmacy student access to the Learning Support Fund, and this is a welcome recognition by the government of the crucial role of pharmacists in the future NHS. “This is all set against the backdrop of significant changes in healthcare structures up and down the country. With the abolition of NHS England and integrated care boards being asked to make substantial cuts, pharmacy system leaders must continue to be supported to help develop new services, ensure the best use of resources, and deliver some of the savings the NHS needs. “Medicines are a fundamental part of the health service and the UK’s life sciences success story. As it develops a ten-year health plan, the government must consider how to resource and enable pharmacists to help deliver new treatments and support the best use of medicines across the system.” Read more RCPharm news stories.
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RPS welcomes access to Learning Support Fund for pharmacy students
The RPS has welcomed the Government’s decision to include pharmacy students in the Learning Support Fund from 2025–26, a change that will improve access to financial support for placements and help tackle inequalities within the profession.
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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.