Welcome to the Royal College of Pharmacy
We’ve changed. You may know us as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society — on 15 April 2026, we became the Royal College of Pharmacy.
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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News
The latest news and updates from Royal College of Pharmacy
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RPS launches new policy on artificial intelligence in pharmacy
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. We've published a new policy outlining how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to support pharmacy practice and improve patient care. Developed in consultation with RPS members, Expert Advisory Group members, Board members, multi-professional experts in digital technology and AI, and external stakeholders including the General Pharmaceutical Council, the policy highlights the challenges and opportunities AI presents to enhance patient access, support clinical decisions and improve the safety and efficient of medicines supply chains. Key areas of the policy include: Improving patient care: AI is a tool to support pharmacy professionals to improve the safe and effective use of medicines in any setting, and achieve better patient outcomes Education and training: Investment in AI skills and knowledge is vital to equip the pharmacy workforce for the future Data protection: Pharmacists must safeguard patient data and ensure compliance with privacy standards when using AI tools Collaboration: AI tools must be developed in partnership with pharmacists, data scientists, developers and patients and to ensure they meet clinical needs Governance and safety: AI systems must adhere to strict regulatory standards, with ongoing testing and oversight to safeguard patients Patient focus: Transparency and diverse data are essential to ensure fair and effective AI-driven care. RPS President, Professor Claire Anderson, said: “AI offers exciting potential to transform pharmacy practice and there are some great examples where it’s already in use. We must optimise the opportunities that these advancing technologies can bring to enhance patient access to care, improve patient experience, support clinical decision-making and improve the safety and efficiency of the medicines supply chain. Our policy provides a framework to ensure AI is harnessed safely and effectively to support pharmacists and patients.” Read more about how AI is transforming pharmacy in our blog by Darren Powell, Chair of the RPS Digital Pharmacy Expert Advisory Group. Read more news stories
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Government responds to Pharmacy Inquiry report
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Health and Social Care Committee has published the government’s response to its inquiry report on pharmacy. The new Committee chair Layla Moran MP has noted that before the general election cross-party Committee had called on the government to act ‘at pace’ to address the pressing issues on funding, medicine shortages and challenges in the workforce. Elen Jones, RPS director for England and Wales, said: “Pharmacists and pharmacy teams play a crucial role across the health service and this was rightly recognised during the Committee’s inquiry. With the government’s response stating that pharmacy is a ‘key priority’, words must now be backed by action in the 10-year health plan and new workforce plan expected later this year. “At the same time, pharmacists and pharmacy teams are under significant pressure and many will share the Committee Chair’s concern that additional support is needed now. “I welcome the government’s commitment to make the most of the next generation of pharmacist prescribers, which will help deliver its ambition to treat people closer to home. Unlocking the potential of pharmacist prescribing will need sustained investment in IT systems, workforce and a prescribing budget. “As the government looks to develop a ‘neighbourhood health service’, I would urge ministers to act on the Committee’s recommendation to widen access to PrEP via community pharmacy and ensure that this is delivered through the forthcoming HIV Action Plan. “As pharmacists play a more clinical role in the health service, our evidence to the Committee highlighted the injustice facing pharmacy students excluded from the Learning Support Fund. If we are to attract and retain the pharmacists we need to meet demand, this inequity at the very start of their career journey must be addressed. “Patient groups, pharmacists and other health professionals continue to warn about the impact of medicines shortages and I welcome the Committee’s focus on this issue. We have long called for pharmacists to be able to make appropriate substitutions to help manage medicines shortages — this was set out in our evidence to the Inquiry and reiterated in our comprehensive report. With the government response accepting that there may be occasions where it is appropriate to enable further flexibility, we look forward to progressing this further.” Find out more about our evidence to the Committee’s Pharmacy Inquiry. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Pharmacists highlighted for key role in mental health support at the Senedd
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Wales recently showcased the important role pharmacists play in mental health care and support during a multi-professional briefing at the Welsh Parliament, Senedd. The event was co-hosted by members of the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group Wales, a collaborative that unites royal colleges and professional organisations to discuss mental health services and provide expert advice to the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and other stakeholders. Joining the RPS Wales team at the Senedd was Emily Laing, Principal Pharmacist for Mental Health at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Key messages were shared with politicians, emphasising the significant impact pharmacists have on mental health care. Some of our key messages included: Expertise in medicines: Pharmacists’ specialist knowledge ensures optimal medication regimens and avoids harmful polypharmacy for patients with mental health conditions, whether in hospitals or the community Workforce planning: Consistent workforce planning across Wales is essential to ensure every mental health multidisciplinary team includes a specialist pharmacist Prevention and early support: Pharmacists across all sectors play a vital role in prevention efforts, helping to identify and support individuals showing early signs of mental health decline. Commenting on the event, Elen Jones, director of RPS Wales, stated: “RPS Wales is delighted to represent the profession on the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group and collaborate with colleagues across professions to drive positive changes for mental healthcare. “I’m particularly grateful to Emily for her invaluable expertise at the event. She did a great job in bringing to life how pharmacists’ skills have a tangible impact on patients’ quality of life. “At RPS Wales, we look forward to continuing our active involvement with the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group, ensuring the crucial role of pharmacists is recognised and continues to develop within mental health service provision.” Emily Laing, principal pharmacist for mental health at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said: “It was great to be able to share my experience and explain in detail to the elected members the value our skills as pharmacists bring to our patients and to mental health multidisciplinary teams. Thanks to RPS for the opportunity.” Read more RCPharm news stories.