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
-
Reclassification will help unlock access to medicines says RPS
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society welcomes the news from the Department of Health and Social Care encouraging more reclassification applications to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. RPS is a member of the Conditions & Category Working Group, which has worked with the MHRA to identify medicines which could be reclassified from ‘available only on prescription’ (POM) to ‘available in pharmacy’ (P) to improve opportunities for self care and to enable timely and more convenient access to medicines. Six broad health conditions have been identified where medicines could be reclassified to treat allergies, pain, skin problems, digestive disorders, women's health and oral health, based on international practice and real-world evidence. Reclassification of medicines enables people to be treated for specific conditions whilst receiving informed guidance, advice and support from their pharmacy team. President of the RPS Professor Claire Anderson said: "We welcome the news that applications for POM to P switches are being encouraged in six therapeutic areas. Reclassification can provide people with easier access to treatments for a range of symptoms and encourages self-care. “Diagnosing and discussing health problems with patients and advising on the benefits and risks of treatment options are integral to the role of the pharmacy team. “Enabling POM to P switches has a critical role to play in managing demand in primary care. It helps minimise unnecessary GP appointments and A&E attendances for minor conditions and ensures the public get the treatment they need from community pharmacies. “As the professional leadership body for pharmacists, RPS will work closely with the MHRA and manufacturers to provide guidance ensuring what is provided to the public continues to be safe and appropriate for their condition.” Read more RCPharm news stories.
-
RPS response to GPhC’s updated guidance on online pharmacy services
Following new GPhC guidance, RPS President Professor Claire Anderson emphasises the importance of patient–prescriber interactions.
-
Scottish Parliamentary Reception highlights The Daffodil Standards
A Scottish Parliamentary reception has highlighted the vital role of community pharmacies in delivering high‑quality palliative and end‑of‑life care through the Daffodil Standards, developed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Marie Curie, with growing numbers of pharmacy teams across Scotland signing up.
Have any questions or comments on the new Royal College website?
Please visit our support page or email [email protected]
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.