The Royal College of Pharmacy has appointed its inaugural cohort of Fellows, recognising 34 members for distinction in the profession of pharmacy.

Fellowship is one of the highest honours awarded by the College. Based on nominations from members, it recognises individuals who have attained distinction in one or more aspects of their pharmacy career and reflects the high esteem in which they are held by their peers.

The first group of Fellows represents a significant milestone for the College and celebrates excellence, leadership and contribution across the profession.

The College’s Panel of Fellows has designated the following 34 members as Fellows of the Royal College of Pharmacy for Distinction in the Profession of Pharmacy:

The College currently has 836 Fellows from across the profession representing a variety sectors and career stages. View the full list of Fellows , which can be searched by alphabet.

Read more RCPharm news stories.

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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 to mark new chapter at first annual conference as a royal college

30 July 2026

The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) will bring together pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from across Great Britain and beyond this November for its first annual conference since becoming the UK's newest royal college. Taking place on Friday 6 November 2026 at Convene, 133 Houndsditch, London, with the option to attend online, the conference marks an important milestone for the College and the profession, providing an opportunity to celebrate progress, share expertise and explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of pharmacy. Inspired by this year's theme, Leading Excellence in Pharmacy – Collaboration, Innovation and Impact, the conference will focus on how pharmacy professionals can work together to advance practice, strengthen professional leadership and improve outcomes for patients. Opening the conference, RCPharm President Tase Oputu and Interim Chief Executive Karen Baxter will reflect on the College's progress and ambitions, while exploring how pharmacy can work in partnership with patients, colleagues and wider healthcare systems to maximise its impact. The opening plenary will focus on patients at the heart of practice and will set the agenda for a day focused on leadership, collaboration and excellence in practice. The programme brings together leading voices from across pharmacy, healthcare, academia and technology to explore the issues shaping the profession. Across four themed streams, delegates will discuss patient safety, pharmacist prescribing, workforce development, medicines shortages, artificial intelligence, genomics, science-led practice and the role of partnership in driving innovation and improving patient care. The conference's closing keynote will be delivered by Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, one of the UK's leading voices on technology and innovation. At a time of rapid technology change, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE will equip delegates with curiosity, confidence and knowledge to embrace new ways of working, build digital capability, strengthen collaboration across teams, and champion excellence not as more technology, but as better, safer, more patient-centred care supported by technology. New for this year's conference is an interactive Education Zone, delivered in collaboration with the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association. Through practical, hands-on workshops, delegates will have the opportunity to enhance their consultation skills, develop new techniques and build confidence in applying them in practice. Delegates will also have the opportunity to explore the conference's research poster display, showcasing the latest developments in pharmacy research and to connect with presenters from across the profession. (Source: The Like Minded/ RCPharm annual conference 2024) (Source: The Like Minded/ RCPharm annual conference 2024) Tase Oputu, President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: "Our first Annual Conference as the Royal College of Pharmacy represents an important moment for our profession. As pharmacy continues to evolve, this conference will bring together pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from across Great Britain and beyond to share best practice, learn from one another and explore how collaboration, innovation and professional leadership can help us deliver even greater impact for patients and the public. “This conference reflects our commitment to supporting excellence in pharmacy and creating opportunities for pharmacy professionals to come together, exchange ideas and help shape the future of pharmacy." Registration for the Royal College of Pharmacy annual conference 2026 is now open. Find out more about the programme and register. Read more news stories.