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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New RPS report unveils ‘roadshow’ debates about its proposals for change
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published a report which captures the conversations and questions that were a key part of 15 ‘roadshow’ events held across Great Britain in October and November to outline and discuss its proposals for change and ambition to become a royal college. The roadshows were hosted by the RPS leadership team and elected officials, and were attended by pharmacists, foundation trainees and pharmaceutical scientists (members and non-members) who heard about the detail of the RPS’ proposals, shared their insights, raised important questions, and explored the implications of the proposed changes. The Roadshow Report captures the key themes raised during these sessions, and at other related online events, and seeks to help attendees and non-attendees understand the reasons behind the changes being proposed and what conversations took place. As well as an outline of the changes, key themes covered in the report include: Impact of the proposed changes; Membership of the new Royal College of Pharmacy; Professional leadership and collaboration; Credentialing; What the proposed changes would mean for particular groups of pharmacy professionals; RPS’s wider work. RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said: "These roadshows have provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with members and non-members and hear their thoughts about the proposed changes, and what becoming a royal college would mean to them and for pharmacy. “We are grateful for the enthusiasm, insights, and constructive feedback shared by everyone who came to one of the events. This dialogue is vital as we move forward with our proposals for change and seek to elevate pharmacy and champion our collective impact on patient care.” You can continue contributing to the conversation about RPS ambitions to become a royal college through [email protected] Read the Roadshow Report. Find out more about our proposals to become a royal college. Read our FAQs. Read more news stories.
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UKPPLAB invite to pharmacy professional leadership conversation
This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. RPS is one of eight pharmacy professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups, along with independent expert members, that comprise the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB). Following its Board meeting in June, the UKPPLAB has published its Common Vision and Purpose for Pharmacy Professional Leadership. Co-created by Board members, and hundreds of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and people working in pharmacy across the UK, the Vision and Common Purpose sets out a shared vision to build a more collaborative, inclusive and effective model of pharmacy professional leadership. This focus on future collaboration will be used to guide the next steps on co-creation. RPS president Professor Claire Anderson said: "As the RPS representative on the UKPPLAB, I fully support the Board’s aim to provide shared principles that underpin strong, sustainable leadership across the profession. Ongoing collaboration and open dialogue are essential as we work to advance the profession and demonstrate our collective value in improving patient care." The UKPPLAB is now inviting pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and wider pharmacy team members from across the UK to contribute to the next steps in the discussions about the future of pharmacy professional leadership. The Board is actively discussing how to build a sustainable and effective future model of pharmacy professional leadership in light of the vote in favour of RPS proposals to establish the Royal College of Pharmacy in 2026. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to this conversation and keep up the momentum towards greater collaboration, the Board is hosting a series of ‘Meet the Board Members’ webinars in July and September. Register now for your chance to join the webinars. All webinars are open to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, wider pharmacy team members and interested stakeholders from across the UK. Monday 14 July 2025, 6pm-7.15pm Tuesday 15 July 2025, 6pm-7.15pm Wednesday 3 September 2025, 6pm-7.15pm Monday 8 September 2025, 6pm-7.15pm Find out more about the work of the UKPPLAB. Read more news stories.
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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.
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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.