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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Polypharmacy featured on BBC’s Morning Live
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. RPS Fellow Steve Williams appeared on BBC1's Morning Live to discuss the challenges of polypharmacy — the use of multiple medicines by one person — and how to manage it effectively. Taking multiple medications increases the risk of side effects, interactions, and patients can have difficulties in taking them correctly. Steve shared how regular medication reviews help patients and healthcare professionals navigate these challenges. Our 'Repeat Prescribing Toolkit', developed with the Royal College of GPs, is aimed to help reduce polypharmacy and reduce medicines waste. It helps GP practices and pharmacies improve medication reviews, patient involvement, and access to medicines. Find out more here. Read our guidance on polypharmacy. Watch Steve’s interview: https://youtu.be/8zi-O1Tjo5o?si=iJ06Q8clcb8DNk-0 Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Professor Amira Guirguis appointed to Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Professor Amira Guirguis, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (RPS) Science and Research Committee and RPS Fellow, has been appointed to the prestigious Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The Advisory Council is an independent expert body that advises government on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs, including their classification and scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its regulations. Paul Bennett, CEO of RPS, said: “We are delighted and very proud of Professor Guirguis’s appointment to the ACMD, which provides advice to government, carries out in-depth enquiries and influences drugs policy in the UK. “This appointment acknowledges her expertise, dedication and commitment to evidence-based science at the highest level. I’d like to offer my congratulations and wish her every success in this important role.” Find out more about the RPS Science and Research Committee More about the ACMD Read more RCPharm news stories
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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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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.