Royal College of Pharmacy in England
We support, promote and lead the pharmacy profession across all sectors of pharmacy in England.
The Royal College of Pharmacy is a GB-wide organisation, but there are significant differences in policy in England, Scotland and Wales. That’s why England has its own National Pharmacy Advisory Council and RCPharm England team: to ensure we understand and support all our members and the wider profession in England.
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Contact your RCPharm Regional Ambassador.
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His Majesty The King becomes new Patron of RPS
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. We are proud to announce His Majesty The King has agreed to become the new Patron of Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Buckingham Palace confirmed the news to mark the first anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen. It follows a thorough analysis of over 1,000 Patronages of The late Queen, The former Prince of Wales and The former Duchess of Cornwall. We have a long association with the Royal Family through The late Queen, who was Patron of RPS from 1953 until her death in 2022. Her father, George VI, was Patron of RPS from 1937-1952. Claire Anderson, president of RPS, said: “We are hugely proud that His Majesty The King has chosen to be our patron, following in the footsteps of The late Queen and her father, George VI. We are grateful to the Royal Family for their ongoing support.” Paul Bennett, chief executive of the RPS, said: “It is an honour to have His Majesty The King as our new Royal Patron. We look forward to continuing our work to highlight the vital contribution pharmacy teams make to patient care across Great Britain with the patronage of His Majesty.” Find out more about the history of RPS. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Prescription charge price hike harms patients, says RPS
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Responding to the news that prescription charges in England will rise from £9.65 per item to £9.90 from 1 May 2024, and the 12-month Prescription Prepayment Certificate will also increase from £111.60 to £114.50, Tase Oputu, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England, said: "Amid an ongoing cost of living crisis, the rise in prescription charges in England will hit working people on low incomes the hardest. “Every day pharmacists are asked by patients who are unable to afford all the items in their prescription which ones they could 'do without'. Patients shouldn’t have to make choices which involve rationing their medicines. No one should face a financial barrier to getting medicines which a health professional has prescribed as necessary. “The consequences of the relentless rise in prescription charges are well-known. If you can’t afford your medicines, your condition can worsen which leads to poor health, lost productivity and increases the risk of hospital admission, piling pressure on the NHS. “Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If they were free in England too then no one would have to worry about payment decisions affecting their health. “In a general election year, I hope that political parties can commit to properly reviewing this complex and unjust system. It is high time this stealth tax was abolished.” A recent survey of pharmacists by RPS and the Pharmacists' Defence Association showed that more than one-third of pharmacists (35%) said they have seen an increase in patients declining prescriptions in the past 12 months. The vast majority of respondents (97%) have seen cases where patients decline some of the medicines on a prescription owing to cost, one-quarter (26%) of whom said they saw this often. Prescription charges are one of the key issues in our general election manifesto. Find out how you can support the campaign at www.rpharms.com/manifesto. Read more RCPharm news stories.
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Pharmacy bodies launch community pharmacy manifesto
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Community Pharmacy England, the Company Chemists’ Association, the National Pharmacy Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society have today published a joint manifesto for community pharmacy, ahead of the next general election. Pharmacy teams can use the manifesto to engage with political parties and candidates in the run-up to the election. The #VotePharmacy manifesto and other resources can be accessed from a new online general election hub, www.votepharmacy.org. The hub includes advice about engaging with candidates. Election candidates will be asked to show their support and back a six-point plan to “unleash the potential of community pharmacy”: Fill the funding gap, and commit to long-term sustainable funding, so pharmacies can deliver more of the NHS care patients need. Support and enhance the community pharmacy workforce to ensure that pharmacists and their teams can continue to meet the needs of patients now and in the future. Ensure that patients can access the medicines they need, including an end-to-end review of the medicines supply chain. Rollout an enhanced Pharmacy First service for England, mirroring the highly successful approaches taken in Scotland and Wales. Empower community pharmacists to do more, with an ambitious roadmap for independent prescribing. Make pharmacies centres for public health, prevention and reducing health inequalities. Tase Oputu, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, said: “Community pharmacy plays a central role in the care of millions of patients each year, boosting vaccine uptake, tackling health inequalities and ensuring vital access to medicines. “But the system is also under pressure, and sustainable funding and support for the workforce will be crucial. “As more pharmacists become prescribers, it is vital the next government makes the most of this opportunity to transform patient care and ensure a positive future for community pharmacy at the heart of the nation’s health service.” All of these issues are highlighted in the RPS general election manifesto. Read more RCPharm news stories.
Our work in England
Our vision for England
Our vision for the role of and value of pharmacists and pharmacy teams.
Pharmacy practice
Working with NHS England and APTUK on inclusive pharmacy practice.
Future of pharmacy
The NHS in England is changing. Find out what this means for pharmacy.
How we work in England
National Pharmacy Advisory Council
Meet the elected council for England and find out how it works.
The Royal College of Pharmacy England team
Supporting members and leading pharmacy in England.
Our policy and advocacy work
Find out more about the College’s policy and advocacy work.