Science and Research

Through science and research, we discover and develop effective medicines. We set the safest standards for their regulation and use.

We are here to support science, research, evidence and innovation in pharmacy across all areas.

Our work:

• NIHR eLearning modules – An interactive educational resource that supports pharmacy professionals in starting their research journey. Accessible for all healthcare professionals.
• Pharmacy research guides – In-depth guidance covering all research stages, from developing your research question to project evaluation.
• Pharmacy research funding opportunities hub – An up-to-date hub where you can find funding opportunities for your research projects, covering opportunities available across all career stages and sectors.
• Research support service – Our support service can help you through all research stages, from planning and developing a research proposal to publishing and disseminating your research.
• RCPharm Pharmaceutical Science Awards – A range of awards across all career stages which recognise excellence in pharmaceutical science.
• Self-selection of pharmacy medicines – Our team conducted a Call for Evidence and systematic literature review to identify existing benefits or harms associated with a facilitated-/self-selection model for pharmacy medicines (PMEDs).
• Medication shortages – We conducted comprehensive scoping reviews to understand the causes of and potential solutions to medication shortages in the UK and the relative impact on patients, as recorded by Serious Shortage Protocols. This contributed to RCPharm’s call for action to the government, updated medication shortages policy, and the landmark report titled “Medicines Shortages: Solutions for empty shelves“.
• PharmSci Today podcast – Hosted by former chief scientist, Professor Gino Martini. Episodes are no longer being released, but all recordings are accessible here.

Our support services and resources

We offer a number of support services to help your research and evaluation activities. These include one-to-one sessions offering dedicated support, mock interviews for PhD or funding opportunities, detailed guidance documents and signposting, and related training and development opportunities.

If you are new to research or hoping to develop your skills further, we can help you.

Our groups and networks

• Our Science and Research Committee brings together leaders from academia, industry, regulation, hospital and community practice. SRB working groups currently focus on the following themes:
  • Ensuring safe access to and use of medicines
  • Supporting pharmacy research throughout the profession
  • Exploring the use of new and emerging technologies in pharmacy settings (e.g., pharmacogenomics)
• Our Industrial Pharmacy Expert Advisory Group offers pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists with an interest in industry a way to communicate and share ideas.
• Our Antimicrobial Expert Advisory Group provides a source of expertise on antimicrobial stewardship, resistance, infection prevention and management, and related issues which impact on the pharmacy profession and the public.

Our Awards

We showcase and recognise the science and research expertise of our members with three prestigious awards:

• Hanbury Memorial Medal, presented to individuals with a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical sciences
• Harrison Memorial Medal, presented to RCPharm members who have made an outstanding contribution in advancing pharmaceutical science
• OPERA (Outstanding Pharmacy Early-career Researcher Award) presented to early-career pharmacy researchers for their exceptional efforts and contributions to research in the pharmacy profession.