Medicine shortages
Our work to highlight how medicine shortages affect patient care, the pressures on pharmacy teams, and recommendations to inform action.
World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2026
This year’s World Patient Safety Day theme focuses on safe and effective care for people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), under the slogan ‘Safe care for life!’.
Our focus on education and credentialing
RCPharm President Tase Oputu reflects on a significant moment for pharmacy and the College’s focus on education, professional development and credentialing.
Enhanced curriculum and credentialing
Supporting newly qualified pharmacist prescribers to develop their prescribing practice, build professional capability and progress with confidence.
RCPharm annual conference 2026
Bringing together pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from across the UK and beyond, this will be our first Annual Conference as the new Royal College.
For newly qualified pharmacists
This resource hub provides real-time practical support to ensure you develop the capability, confidence and professional judgement you need to prescribe safely and effectively.
Celebrating Black History Month 2026
Join us in celebrating Black History Month throughout October, to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society and pharmacy.
News
The latest news and updates from Royal College of Pharmacy.
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Royal College of Pharmacy comments on Covid Inquiry PPE findings
Commenting on the findings of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry about personal protective equipment (PPE), President of the Royal College of Pharmacy Tase Oputu said: “The Government and NHS repeatedly tried to provide reassurance that adequate supplies of PPE were available to the pharmacy profession and that the guidance was robust. This was not the reality experienced by our members and we called for urgent change to reflect the real-world situation. “The vast majority of frontline pharmacy teams were unable to maintain safe social distancing either from staff or patients and struggled to source PPE to protect themselves, their patients and their families. “Pharmacies were one of the last places keeping their doors open to the public without an appointment and yet seemingly an afterthought when it came to sourcing PPE for staff. “It is crucial that we learn lessons ahead of any potential future pandemic and ensure that pharmacy teams across care settings are protected so they can keep looking after patients.” Read more news stories.
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RCPharm President named Pharmacist of the Year at Black Healthcare Awards
President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, Tase Oputu, has been named Pharmacist of the Year at the Black Healthcare Awards 2026 in recognition of her leadership, commitment to tackling health inequalities and contribution to advancing the pharmacy profession. The award, presented by the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) at a ceremony in London on 4 July, celebrates healthcare professionals making an outstanding impact on patient care, healthcare leadership and community health across the UK. Tase shared the honour with fellow pharmacist Dr Yeyenta Osasu, who is National pharmacy Integration Lead at NHS England. The Black Healthcare Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Black healthcare professionals, highlighting individuals whose work is helping to improve outcomes, advance equity and drive positive change across health and social care. For many years, Tase has been a leading advocate for the profession, championing the vital role pharmacists play in improving access to care, addressing health inequalities and supporting better outcomes for patients and communities. (Source: Caribbean and African Health Network) Tase Oputu, President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this award and to be recognised alongside so many exceptional healthcare professionals who are making a difference in their communities every day. "This recognition is not just a personal achievement. It reflects the commitment, talent and innovation of pharmacists across the country. Pharmacy teams play a vital role in tackling health inequalities, improving access to care and supporting better health outcomes for patients. "The Black Healthcare Awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Black healthcare professionals and to highlight the positive impact we have across health and care. I am proud to stand alongside colleagues who are leading change, inspiring future generations and helping to build a more equitable healthcare system for all." The Royal College of Pharmacy also congratulates all those recognised at this year's awards, including Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, Professor of Pharmacy at University College London, who received the Lifetime Achievement in Black Health Award for her contribution to healthcare and research alongside Professor Martin Griffiths, Consultant Major Trauma Surgeon. Read more news stories.
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Royal College of Pharmacy walks with APTUK at London Pride 2026
The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) joined members, colleagues and partners at London Pride 2026 on 4 July, showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion. We walked alongside members and colleagues from APTUK, with Boots on Oxford Street kindly hosting the group before the parade. Tase Oputu, President of RCPharm, who attended the parade, said: "It was a privilege to join colleagues, members and allies at London Pride to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. “Pride is a celebration of diversity, visibility and inclusion, and reflects the values we strive to uphold as a profession. Seeing so many people come together in support of equality was both inspiring and a powerful reminder of the importance of creating a profession where everyone feels respected, valued and able to thrive." Source: RCPharm Find our more about our inclusion and diversity work. Read more news stories.
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Royal College of Pharmacy and partners sign Concordat on pharmacy professional leadership
The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) is one of seven pharmacy professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups, along with independent expert members, that comprise the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board. Since April 2024, the Board has been working to co-create a stronger, more inclusive, effective and sustainable pharmacy professional leadership model for the future. The Board has today (25 June) published a Concordat, which builds on its statement of February 2026 and sets out a shared commitment to collaboration, transparency and engagement to establish the Royal College as the professional leadership home for pharmacy. Tase Oputu, president of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “This Concordat is a significant moment for pharmacy professional leadership, and we commend the Board, under Sir Hugh’s leadership, for their ambition and shared commitment to working collaboratively toward a unified future that benefits professionals and the public. The Concordat hands the baton to member organisations to make that unified future a reality, and I particularly welcome the clear articulation of UKPPLAB members’ shared pledge to co-creating an ambitious and inclusive royal college as a wider home for pharmacy. “To create a unified, collaborative future for pharmacy professional leadership, we need an ambitious long-term strategy for the Royal College, and we are committed to ensuring our members, and the wider pharmacy community, can play their part in developing this strategy and help shape the future direction of the College. “The Concordat sets out a vision and an ambitious timeline for an inclusive future in which pharmacy technicians are part of the Royal College, a change which would require a positive Special Resolution Vote by College members. Ahead of launching such a vote, we will need to be clear with our members and pharmacy technicians how we would protect distinct professional voices and create clear arrangements for equity and governance. “Together, we can build the future that pharmacy professionals and patients deserve.” The College will shortly announce a programme of engagement starting in autumn 2026. Read the Concordat Read more news stories.
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Royal College of Pharmacy welcomes government action on palliative care
The Royal College of Pharmacy has welcomed the government’s acceptance of the Health and Social Care Committee’s recommendations to improve access to palliative and end-of-life care, including plans for a 24/7 care framework and a single patient record. Amandeep Doll, director for England at the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “We welcome the government's acceptance of recommendations to improve access to palliative and end-of-life care. “Timely access to medicines and support from pharmacy teams must be a core part of any successful model of palliative care. Pharmacists help people manage symptoms, access urgent medicines and receive care in the setting of their choice. “We are also pleased to see support for a single patient record. Better sharing of patient information across healthcare services would improve communication, support safer clinical decisions and help deliver more joined-up care. “Our own position on palliative care aligns with many of the recommendations. Our Daffodil Standards provide a quality improvement framework, which helps the whole pharmacy team to improve the care provided to patients needing palliative and end of life care. “As the NHS seeks to deliver more care closer to home through the 10-year Health Plan, pharmacists must be fully integrated into multidisciplinary teams so patients and their families can access timely, coordinated support when they most need it.” The College will continue working with partners to ensure pharmacy is central to delivering high-quality, accessible palliative care services. Read more news stories.
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Royal College of Pharmacy responds to new Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework in England
Today, the outcome of negotiations for the new Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework in England was announced. Commenting on the announcement, Director for England at the Royal College of Pharmacy Amandeep Doll said: "We welcome the Government’s ambition to expand the role of community pharmacy and improve patient access to care through this latest investment of £340 million and the planned rollout of NHS-funded independent prescribing. “Enabling appropriately qualified pharmacists to assess, treat and prescribe for patients directly is a positive step towards delivering more care closer to home. It reflects the growing clinical capability of the pharmacy workforce, already demonstrated through Pharmacy First, and will improve access to treatment and the patient experience. New prescribing services must be adequately supported to avoid a postcode lottery for patient access. “Progress must not stop here, and the Government must continue to build on today’s settlement and ensure that the new generation of pharmacist prescribers can fully use their skills to support patients across care settings. Mahendra Patel, Chair of the RCPharm English National Pharmacy Advisory Council, said: “The shift to prescribing also brings greater clinical responsibility and time pressures. Its success will depend on sufficient investment in workforce training and capacity, protected time for professional development and system leadership, and strong clinical governance to ensure high standards of care. Without this, there is a risk that the ambition for prescribing in community pharmacy will not be fully realised. “It’s also vital that community pharmacies are fully integrated within local health systems and neighbourhood teams to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. “Community pharmacies continue to face considerable financial pressures and workforce challenges. Sustained investment, careful implementation of prescribing services and engagement with the community pharmacy workforce are essential to ensure future success and secure the long-term future of community pharmacy services.” Read more news stories.
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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