Collaborative Vision for Pharmacy Professional Leadership

Published: 27 January 2025

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) has launched a series of webinars during February so that pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and wider pharmacy team members can collaborate on a proposed vision and common purpose for pharmacy professional leadership.

RPS is one of eight pharmacy professional leadership bodies, and specialist professional groups, along with independent expert members, that comprise the UKPPLAB. The webinars will take place ahead of a RPS member vote on proposed changes to its governance, including proposals to become a royal college; the Royal College of Pharmacy.

The vision and common purpose engagement exercise is aligned with the extensive engagement RPS has already undertaken to inform and consult on its constitution and governance review, which included 15 in-person Roadshow events across Great Britain, open to pharmacists, foundation trainees and pharmaceutical scientists (whether members or not), and its own webinars including for students. There have also been wide-ranging discussions with stakeholders and organisations to explore and gain feedback on the RPS’ proposals for change.

Though RPS is not hosting additional webinars as part of this initiative, RPS will be joining the three Advisory Board-led webinars in England, Scotland and Wales. RPS members can sign up to hear more about the UKPPLAB vision and common purpose work.

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

“As the RPS representative on the UKPPLAB I very much welcome the Board’s approach to creating shared principles for effective and sustainable leadership.

“Our extensive series of Roadshow events and discussions have already given RPS members (and non-members) an opportunity to come together and explore what professional leadership means for them, so we are not hosting an additional webinar. We have published a Roadshow Report on the outcome of our many conversations and I’m very grateful for the enthusiasm, insights and constructive feedback shared by everyone who attended the events.

“The more we are aligned across the different bodies and groups, the stronger pharmacy professional leadership will become. Continued dialogue is vital as we seek to elevate pharmacy and champion our collective impact on patient care.

“The UKPPLAB’s engagement exercise is a prime example of collaboration and an important signal of the collective commitment to co-create effective future pharmacy professional leadership. As a member of the Board, we firmly believe that by working together, the pharmacy can enhance its leadership capabilities and better serve the needs of its patients, professionals and the public.”

Join the webinars.

Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE awarded Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of GPs

26 June 2025

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE, recognising his exceptional contributions to healthcare, research equity and cross-professional leadership. Mahendra is an RPS Fellow, former member of the RPS English Pharmacy Board and previously held the post of RPS Treasurer. This accolade is the RCGP’s highest award for non-GPs. Starting in community pharmacy, Mahendra transitioned to academia, where he pioneered the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Student Champions Programme, embedding evidence-based practice and tackling health inequalities across the curricula of 40 medical, pharmacy, nursing and dental schools. He earned one of the first NICE Fellowships for his early leadership. As a Board member for RPS England, Mahendra led the development of national diabetes initiatives and a diabetes toolkit, while forging partnerships across professional boundaries and internationally. During the pandemic he played a crucial role in increasing diversity for the major 'PANORAMIC' and 'PRINCIPLE' COVID-19 trials, efforts which were recognised by the World Health Organization and the United Nations. He is the founding director of the Centre for Research Equity, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, shaping national research policy, collaborating with the RCGP and forming strategic partnerships across the UK. As co-lead of the NIHR-supported Race Equity Incubator, he is driving efforts to strengthen research capacity and capability while fostering equitable career progression for Black and minority ethnic healthcare professionals. A member of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board, Mahendra is a strong supporter of RPS becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy. He is also a BMJ NHS Commissioner and Professional Advisor to England’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. HSJ named him as one of the 50 most influential BAME figures in UK healthcare today. Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE said: “This stands as one of the proudest moments of my career, and for the pharmacy profession I represent, as RPS progresses to become the Royal College of Pharmacy. I hope this recognition becomes a catalyst: for closer collaboration, for shared leadership, and for inspiring members of both our professions to think beyond traditional boundaries – at every stage of their careers. “At a time of extraordinary pressures on general practice and pharmacy, joined-up thinking and integrated leadership across our professions has never been more urgent. I’ve always sought to break silos, widen access, and drive equity, with a clear focus on improving health outcomes by tackling the deep-rooted inequalities that persist across our communities. This Fellowship, for me, is not the culmination of that long journey, but the beginning of a renewed and fresh commitment.” RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said: “I’d like to offer my warmest congratulations to Mahendra on this prestigious Fellowship, which marks his huge contribution to the profession and healthcare. His work continues to inspire a new generation of pharmacists and researchers committed to equity, innovation, and collaborative leadership. Long may it continue.”

Royal College of Pharmacy launch ‘heralds new era’ for pharmacy professional leadership

15 April 2026

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society becomes the Royal College of Pharmacy, completing its transition to royal college status and establishing new profession-led leadership to strengthen pharmacy's voice and advance excellence in practice for patients and the public.