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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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.
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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.