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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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.