Medicine shortages
Our work to highlight how medicine shortages affect patient care, the pressures on pharmacy teams, and recommendations to inform action.
World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2026
This year’s World Patient Safety Day theme focuses on safe and effective care for people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), under the slogan ‘Safe care for life!’.
Our focus on education and credentialing
RCPharm President Tase Oputu reflects on a significant moment for pharmacy and the College’s focus on education, professional development and credentialing.
Enhanced curriculum and credentialing
Supporting newly qualified pharmacist prescribers to develop their prescribing practice, build professional capability and progress with confidence.
RCPharm annual conference 2026
Bringing together pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from across the UK and beyond, this will be our first Annual Conference as the new Royal College.
For newly qualified pharmacists
This resource hub provides real-time practical support to ensure you develop the capability, confidence and professional judgement you need to prescribe safely and effectively.
Celebrating Black History Month 2026
Join us in celebrating Black History Month throughout October, to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society and pharmacy.
News
The latest news and updates from Royal College of Pharmacy.
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Implementing Pharmacy 2030 in Shetland
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. In June 2024, Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), visited pharmacy teams across Shetland, to witness their innovative practice and implementation of RPS’s vision for the future of pharmacy, Pharmacy 2030, across a remote island community. During the two-day visit, Anderson, accompanied by Anthony McDavitt, director of pharmacy, NHS Shetland and Interim Deputy Chief Officer, Shetland Community Health and Social Care Partnership, visited two community pharmacies, Laings Pharmacy in Lerwick and Brae Pharmacy. Both pharmacies have independent prescribing pharmacists providing a vital first point of contact healthcare service for their communities; independent prescribing being a cornerstone of our vision. Anderson also met with the hospital pharmacy team at Gilbert Bain Hospital and had the opportunity to present on our vision for hospital pharmacy, which includes releasing pharmacists to patient facing roles and advancing clinical practice including caseload management. It was fantastic to hear that the team had already done some focused work based on the vision. On the Wednesday, Anderson visited pharmacists working in primary care, in one of the Scottish government 'Primary care improvement plan' pharmacotherapy demonstrator sites. Alongside visitors from Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Primary Care Phased Investment Programme, Anderson was able to present on the RPS vision for general practice pharmacy, with our central focus on improving skill-mix across pharmacy teams so better use can be made of pharmacists’ knowledge, skills and experience to support patients. Speaking about the visit, Anderson said: “Thank you so much to pharmacy teams across Shetland for welcoming me, and for being so generous with your time to demonstrate the fantastic work which every pharmacist in Shetland is involved in on behalf of the island community. “I am so proud to witness the implementation of our vision for the future of pharmacy, Pharmacy 2030, and learn about the innovative approaches taking place to implement this in a remote and rural setting. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, a member of the RPS Scotland team was unable to join this time and we look forward to our next visit to understand how this work is progressing, so that ultimately, patients receive the very best care possible from their pharmacy teams.” Speaking about the visit, McDavitt said: “It was fantastic to showcase the great work of our pharmacy teams across Shetland with Claire from RPS. We have a lot going on in Shetland and it was great to cover the breadth of the service in a couple of days. “Our pharmacy teams are busy innovating across community, hospital and primary care, and are implementing Pharmacy 2030, RPS’s vision for the future of pharmacy, to improve patient care, and experience. I’m glad we had the opportunity to have Claire with us during our workshop for the Primary Care Phased Investment Programme we have in Shetland through Scottish government funding. It’s essential to have professional body input into the development of pharmacy services and the changing of pharmacy roles in Scotland. “Thank you to Claire for making the trip to Shetland and we look forward to demonstrating our impactful work again to RPS colleagues at a future visit.” Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Elections to RPS Boards and Assembly 2024
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Elections to vacant positions on the RPS Scottish and English country boards took place at the meeting on 18 June 2024 and the results are as follows: Scottish Pharmacy Board The Board elected Jonathan Burton FRPharmS as their new chair. Jonathan said: “I'm delighted to be elected chair of Scottish Pharmacy Board, serving as chair is a great privilege. I am hugely thankful to members for supporting me to serve the pharmacy profession across Scotland in this important capacity. “During my time as chair, my guiding principles will be, to act with authenticity, to respect all members’ views and to be passionate, whilst treating everyone with respect.” Jonathan is an independent prescriber who works within the community in NHS Forth Valley and won the 2023 RPS Charter Award. Read Jonathan’s election address to the board. He also served as chair of the Scottish Pharmacy Board 2019-2021. The board also elected Audrey Thompson to the RPS Assembly, the organisation’s governing body. English Pharmacy Board The board elected Adebayo Adegbite, Danny Bartlett and Matthew Prior to the RPS Assembly. Tase Oputu continues in her term as board chair for England. Welsh Pharmacy Board The board confirmed Eleri Schiavone as their representative to the RPS Assembly. Geraldine McCaffrey continues in her term as board chair for Wales. Find out more about members of the RPS National Pharmacy Boards. Find out who is part of the RPS Assembly. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Call to action for political parties ahead of general election
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Ahead of the General Election, we’ve written an open letter calling on political parties to support our joint manifesto for community pharmacy. We’ve joined Community Pharmacy England, the Company Chemists’ Association, and the National Pharmacy Association to highlight the essential role that pharmacies play in providing accessible healthcare and the need for increased funding and support to meet the growing demand for pharmacists’ expertise. Our community pharmacy manifesto outlines a six-point plan, including sustainable funding, support for the workforce, ensuring patient access to medicines, Pharmacy First, pharmacist prescribing, and health inequalities. Tase Oputu, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, said: “Community pharmacy plays a central role in the care of millions of patients each year, but the system is also under pressure, and sustainable funding and support for the workforce will be crucial. “As more pharmacists become prescribers, I’d urge the next government to make the most of this opportunity to transform patient care and ensure a positive future for community pharmacy at the heart of the nation’s health service.” Read the open letter. Ask your local election candidates to show their support for pharmacy by sharing our manifesto. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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A new chapter for Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. As the 41st edition of Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference is released, the long-time publisher of this highly respected and trusted publication, Pharmaceutical Press, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s knowledge business, announces this will be the final print edition. Future updates will only be available online through MedicinesComplete. From the first edition of 313 pages that once fitted snug inside a health professional’s coat pocket to the 41st edition of 4,896 pages housed in two volumes, Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference has grown and adapted to meet the changing needs of time-pressured health and industry professionals. “William Martindale’s original aim when publishing the first edition in July 1883 — that pharmacists should have access to the most up-to-date pharmaceutical information — has always remained at the heart of the publication. In today’s online-first world, we’re able to better support Martindale’s original aim through digital updates on MedicinesComplete.” Alison Brayfield, editor MedicinesComplete makes it easy for health and industry professionals to quickly access evaluated and regularly updated knowledge. Content navigation is also improved by digital links, including those between preparations and drug monographs. In addition, content not available in the print edition such as the chemical structure of a substance and two extra chapters is provided. “Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference is relied on globally for concise and specific detail to identify and understand drugs, herbals, and other pharmaceutical substances. Reviewed and updated quarterly on MedicinesComplete, this evaluated knowledge resource supports researchers and health professionals in confident decision-making.” Karen Baxter, MD Pharmaceutical Press and Deputy CEO Royal Pharmaceutical Society The 41st and final print edition of Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference is expected to sell out as medicines information libraries and organisations worldwide seek to complete their collections. For more information visit: PharmaceuticalPress.com/MartindaleOnline Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Health Committee publishes pharmacy report
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed a new report by the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee, following its inquiry into pharmacy. We engaged extensively with the Committee throughout the process, submitting written evidence, attending a roundtable event, and giving evidence in person at a public hearing. RPS director for England James Davies gave evidence to the Committee in November 2023 and highlighted key issues around workforce planning, wellbeing and protected learning time, investment in pharmacy students through the Learning Support Fund, medicines shortages, and interoperable patient records. The Committee has subsequently made a number of recommendations, addressing many RPS key policy asks: Reviewing the effectiveness of Serious Shortage Protocols Enabling pharmacists in community settings to make substitutions to help manage medicines shortages An independent review of the medicines supply chain Further development of clinical services in community pharmacy settings Provision of HIV-prevention medication PrEP through community pharmacy Interoperable read/write access to patient records in community pharmacy Reform of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework Enabling pharmacy students to access the Learning Support Fund Ensuring that all pharmacists have adequate access to supervision, training, and protected learning time, along with clear structures for professional career development An independent review of hospital medicines management. Tase Oputu, RPS England Chair, said: “Today’s report acknowledges the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams across the whole health service and also sets out some key challenges that need to be addressed urgently. “Our evidence to the Committee highlighted RPS key campaign issues around workforce planning, wellbeing and protected learning time, investment in pharmacy students through the Learning Support Fund and much-needed investment in IT and interoperable patient records. “While we have seen some welcome progress towards advancing the clinical role of pharmacists in the NHS, the report shows there is still more to do to make the most of the growing number of pharmacist prescribers. “The Committee has rightly recognised the growing impact of medicines shortages on patient care and the widespread support for reform. Our investigation into medicines shortages will report on this later in the year. “Whoever wins the general election, this report sets out clear priorities for pharmacy and there’s no doubt the next government must act on today’s recommendations and put improving patient care at the heart of its agenda.” Read the full report. Watch Davies giving evidence to the Committee below. https://youtu.be/W6380iUDjcY Davies also talks about expanding the role of pharmacists beyond hospitals. He mentions the future integration of prescribing skills for all newly qualified pharmacists starting in 2026, making best use of the skill mix within the entire pharmacy team, and exploring opportunities in clinical trials and the life science sector. Watch below. https://youtu.be/ByY2hIblKGg Watch the committee session Read our written evidence to the committee. Support pharmacy in the general election by sharing our manifesto. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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RPS launches new prescribing support service
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Prescribing Support Service, an extension of our Professional Support Service tailored to queries about prescribing.
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.
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