South Asian Heritage Month

Published: 3 September 2026

South Asian Heritage Month celebrates the history, heritage and contributions of British South Asian communities.

At the Royal College of Pharmacy, we mark the month by recognising the people and communities who have shaped the profession, sharing experiences and championing greater inclusion and representation across pharmacy.

A coloured map of South Asia.

South Asian Heritage Month 2026 – Many Threads, One Fabric

As part of South Asian Heritage Month 2026, we hosted Many Threads, One Fabric on 29 July, bringing together members, partners and colleagues to celebrate the rich diversity, cultures and lived experiences of South Asian communities in pharmacy.

The event explored themes of identity, belonging, leadership and representation, with contributions from pharmacy professionals and partners across the profession. The evening included a keynote address, panel discussion and an original spoken word poem, providing an opportunity to share experiences, celebrate heritage and reflect on how we can create a more inclusive profession.

Wide group photo of multi-ethnic men and women celebrating South Asian History Month with the Royal College of Pharmacy
(All photographs courtesy of the Royal College of Pharmacy)
A group of people sat around a large table, listening to a speaker who reads from a laptop in front of a presentation screen
(Left to right: Dalvinder Moman, Maheer Khan, Atif Shamim, Carolyn Scott, Anisa Islam)

Previous South Asian Heritage Month highlights

‘Roots to Routes’ event

We hosted our 2025 ‘Roots to Routes’ event at De-Montfort University in Leicester, where we came together to celebrate the contributions of South Asian communities in pharmacy and explore the identity, heritage and journeys that shape us.

Images from Roots to Routes event at De Montfort University
(Roots to Routes, RCPharm)

Ayurvedic medicines in the RCPharm museum

Two images. One is Jakhme Ruz, a healing ointment from Gujarat, and the other: Maha Sudarshan Churna, a powdered remedy from early 20th-century India. These items reflect the enduring legacy of Ayurveda and its influence on global health practices.

The RCPharm Museum showcased two examples of Ayurvedic medicine from its collection: Jakhme Ruz, a healing ointment from Gujarat, and Maha Sudarshan Churna, a powdered remedy from early 20th-century India. These items reflect the enduring legacy of Ayurveda and its influence on global health practices.

Discover fun facts about South Asia with the BPSA collection

Information about the Maldives and Sri Lanka
(British pharmaceutical students association)

The BPSA shared a collection of fun facts celebrating the diversity of South Asia, highlighting the rich history, culture and contributions of each country in the region.

Explore them here.

Our partners

We are grateful to the organisations and networks we work with to celebrate South Asian heritage and promote greater inclusion across pharmacy:

  • Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK
  • British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
  • Female Pharmacy Leaders Network
  • Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists
  • Pharmacy Technicians of Colour
  • UK Black Pharmacist Association
  • Pharmacy Business

Inclusion and diversity homepage

Explore our commitment to inclusion, diversity and belonging across pharmacy.

Inclusion and diversity at the College

Learn how the College is advancing inclusion and diversity across pharmacy.

Race advocacy – challenges to address

Explore resources and guidance supporting racial equality and inclusion in pharmacy.

  • My RPS internship: developing confidence, leadership and my voice in pharmacy

    A transformative internship with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society helped Maruf Ahmed build confidence, develop his leadership skills and find his voice in advancing inclusion and diversity within the pharmacy profession.

  • Empowering inclusive leadership through the North West IPP Toolkit and steering group journey

    Pharmacy leaders in the North West are driving meaningful cultural change through a co‑produced IPP Toolkit and a collaborative steering group, empowering teams to embed equity, diversity and belonging into everyday practice.

  • Ageism in pharmacy: the acceptable prejudice?

    Ageism can go both ways, reflects Jaspreet Sohal.