Medicine shortages
Our work to highlight how medicine shortages affect patient care, the pressures on pharmacy teams, and recommendations to inform action.
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.
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…
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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Pharmacy First service ‘a leap forward’, says RPS
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. England’s Pharmacy First service is going live today in community pharmacies across the country as part of the government’s primary care access recovery plan. The service provides treatment for seven common conditions with medicines provided by the NHS. For the first time, patients will be able to access medicines for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections without having to visit their GP first. Tase Oputu, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, said: “Pharmacy First is a leap forward in improving patient care by making treatments for a range of conditions more accessible from community pharmacies. “The expansion of clinical services not only empowers patients with greater choice on where and how they receive care, but also makes the most of the valuable skills of pharmacists and their teams. “Pharmacy teams have made an incredible effort to get the service ready alongside all the additional pressures they face. It's an exciting transformation, helping to reshape the landscape of primary care.” Pharmacy First sits alongside two other recently introduced community pharmacy services in England, a contraceptive service enabling women to get oral contraceptives directly from their pharmacist, and a blood pressure check service to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. All three services align with the 'RPS Vision for Pharmacy Professional Practice', developed with the King’s Fund, which sets out how pharmacy teams can support better patient care and address key challenges facing the nation’s health. The vision emphasises the importance of providing consistent patient-focused services through community pharmacy that enhance access to care. Tase took part in several radio interviews, including BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme, to discuss the service's impact and importance. Listen to the programme below: https://soundcloud.com/rpharms/bbc-radio-4-today-tase-oputu-310124-0709-hrs?utm_source=clipboardu0026amp;utm_campaign=wtshareu0026amp;utm_medium=widgetu0026amp;utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Frpharms%252Fbbc-radio-4-today-tase-oputu-310124-0709-hrs Find out why RPS Fellow and community pharmacist Reena Barai thinks Pharmacy First is a game changer. Check out our resources to help you feel confident and competent to provide national common clinical conditions services.
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RPS revises position on prescribing and dispensing by same healthcare professional
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has revised and updated its position on the separation of prescribing and dispensing or administration of a medicine by the same healthcare professional in response to changing practices in healthcare. Previous guidance emphasised the need for separation of prescribing and dispensing, other than in exceptional circumstances, originating from the 1999 Crown Report. The new position statement, along with supporting professional guidance developed jointly with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), allows for more flexibility. It clarifies that where clinical circumstances make it necessary, and in the best interests of the patient, the same healthcare professional can safely be responsible for the prescribing, dispensing, supply and administration of medicines. This position was agreed following an extensive year-long engagement exercise with medical associations, members, Fellows, expert advisory groups, patient groups and the RPS Country Boards. The statement recognises that independent prescribers across all professions already prescribe and supply or administer medicines for the same patient. Being unable to do so would potentially have a negative impact on patient experience and care. In these situations, a risk assessment should be conducted to establish if prescribing, dispensing and supply or administration of medicines by the same person is in the best interests of the patient. A robust audit trail of the decisions should be made and the actions taken should then be communicated with other professionals supporting the patient’s care. RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said: “Following a consultation with a prescribing pharmacist, a patient may be asked to go to a different pharmacy to have the medicine dispensed, which may not be practical and may also delay or prevent patients who are unwell from getting the medicines they need quickly. "Our revised position acknowledges the changing landscape of education, training and practice related to prescribing and aims to address the needs of an increasingly diverse and dynamic healthcare system. “Allowing flexibility in prescribing and dispensing practices ensures that patient safety remains paramount while adapting to rapidly changing healthcare practice. The heart of this change is centred on the delivery of effective and patient-centred care by healthcare professionals including pharmacists." Read the new position statement and guidance from the RPS and the RCN. Read more Royal College of Pharmacy 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.