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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Angela Constance MSP Appointed Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care
Scotland’s newly elected first minister, John Swinney, has appointed Angela Constance MSP to be cabinet secretary for health and care. Pharmacists across Scotland are providing high-quality, person-centred care to patients every day in a variety of settings, including in hospital, GP practices and in community. Pharmacists are an integral part of healthcare in all settings, and we need to maximise the skills and potential of the profession. During the election, the Royal College of Pharmacy's manifesto themes focused on maximising pharmacy for patient benefit. We look forward to working with the cabinet secretary and the rest of the Scottish government, and more widely across Parliament, to advance our key priorities, which include: Prioritising the integrated digital patient care record and ensuring this is available to pharmacists in all care settings, with read-and-write access; Undertaking comprehensive workforce planning for pharmacy, so we can ensure that Scotland has the right numbers of pharmacists working at any one time, across all sectors and the right skill mix to support services; Prioritising the introduction of electronic prescribing across the NHS and improving the availability of data about the environmental impact of medicines; Ensuring that protected and funded development time within the working day for pharmacists is embedded in workforce planning. The Royal College of Pharmacy will be seeking an introductory meeting with the cabinet secretary to discuss these policy priorities. Read more news stories.
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RCPharm writes to government on Learning Support Fund
The Royal College of Pharmacy has joined sector partners in urging the government to expand financial support for pharmacy students, warning that limited access to the Learning Support Fund risks creating barriers to training and future workforce growth.
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Royal college and regulator set out vision for future working together
Joint statement from the chief executives of the Royal College of Pharmacy and the General Pharmaceutical Council.
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Royal college and regulator set out vision for future working together
Joint statement from the Chief Executives of the Royal College of Pharmacy and the General Pharmaceutical Council
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The Royal College of Pharmacy appoints Dr Emily Kennedy as Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Patient Safety
The Royal College of Pharmacy has appointed Dr Emily Kennedy as Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Patient Safety, bringing extensive clinical and national policy experience to support the development of standards, strengthen professional practice and improve patient safety across Great Britain.
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New Trustees appointed to the Royal College of Pharmacy
The Royal College of Pharmacy has today (21 April) announced the appointment of three new Trustees to the Trustee Board of the College and the election of a final member from the Senate. The Board of Trustees holds ultimate responsibility for the Royal College of Pharmacy’s governance, strategy, and legal compliance. It provides strategic oversight, ensures the College meets its legal and charitable duties, and holds the executive team to account for delivery. A majority of the Trustee Board will be registered pharmacists, drawn from the Senate, the governance body of the College, which advises the Board of Trustees on professional matters. The President and three National Pharmacy Advisory Council Chairs (who also act as Vice Presidents) will serve as Trustees, together with a further elected member elected by the Senate. The Trustees appointed after interview are Jacob Lant, Katie Mantell and John Turner. The newly elected Trustee is Professor Claire Anderson. Joe Irvin, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “These appointments represent a significant step forward for the royal college. Each of our new Trustees brings expertise, integrity and a deep understanding of the responsibilities that come with public trust. “The Royal College of Pharmacy is setting out as an ambitious and purposeful organisation committed to placing pharmacy at the forefront of patient care. “I am delighted to welcome colleagues who share that vision and who will help guide the College with confidence, independence and purpose.” Tase Oputu, President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “With its Trustee Board now strengthened, the Royal College of Pharmacy has the leadership and governance in place that will support its ambitions to establish a strong, credible and future‑focused professional leadership body, supporting professionals and driving excellence in practice for the benefit of patients and the public.” The Board of Trustees comprises of the following elected and appointed trustees: Chair: Joe Irvin OBE (appointed) Vice Chair: The Board will select one of the group when they first meet President: Tase Oputu (elected) Vice President: Mahendra Patel (elected) Vice President: Catriona Sinclair (elected) Vice President: Liz Hallett (elected) Elected: Claire Anderson (elected) Appointed: Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices Appointed: Katie Mantell, Chief Executive RCVS Knowledge Appointed: John Turner, Chartered Accountant The Board of Trustees meets four to six times a year. Its first meeting will be held on Thursday 23 April, when the Vice Chair will be selected. 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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RCPharm Professional support
One-to-one support – every weekday, 9am until 5pm
Call 0207 572 2737 to speak to a member of our support team, or you can email us using the link below.
Our one-to-one support service is exclusively for RCPharm members.