RPS welcomes new chief executive and registrar of the General Pharmaceutical Council

RPS has welcomed the appointment of Kathie Cashell as the new Chief Executive and Registrar of the GPhC, highlighting the opportunity to strengthen collaboration and advance shared goals for high‑quality, patient‑centred pharmacy practice.

Published: 26 November 2025

This article was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Commenting on the appointment of Kathie Cashell to lead the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), RPS Chief Executive Paul Bennett said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Kathie Cashell as the new Chief Executive and Registrar of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

“Kathie joins at a key time in healthcare and for the RPS as we work to create our strategic vision for the new Royal College of Pharmacy.

“I hope her leadership of the regulatory body will help drive forward our shared goals to advance pharmacy practice, deliver excellence in patient care, strengthen collaboration across the health system and champion an inclusive approach to professional leadership. My team and I look forward to working closely with her to shape a future where pharmacy becomes ever more central to providing safe and effective care for patients.”

Reclassification will help unlock access to medicines says RPS

7 February 2025

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society welcomes the news from the Department of Health and Social Care encouraging more reclassification applications to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. RPS is a member of the Conditions & Category Working Group, which has worked with the MHRA to identify medicines which could be reclassified from ‘available only on prescription’ (POM) to ‘available in pharmacy’ (P) to improve opportunities for self care and to enable timely and more convenient access to medicines. Six broad health conditions have been identified where medicines could be reclassified to treat allergies, pain, skin problems, digestive disorders, women's health and oral health, based on international practice and real-world evidence. Reclassification of medicines enables people to be treated for specific conditions whilst receiving informed guidance, advice and support from their pharmacy team. President of the RPS Professor Claire Anderson said: "We welcome the news that applications for POM to P switches are being encouraged in six therapeutic areas. Reclassification can provide people with easier access to treatments for a range of symptoms and encourages self-care. “Diagnosing and discussing health problems with patients and advising on the benefits and risks of treatment options are integral to the role of the pharmacy team. “Enabling POM to P switches has a critical role to play in managing demand in primary care. It helps minimise unnecessary GP appointments and A&E attendances for minor conditions and ensures the public get the treatment they need from community pharmacies. “As the professional leadership body for pharmacists, RPS will work closely with the MHRA and manufacturers to provide guidance ensuring what is provided to the public continues to be safe and appropriate for their condition.” Read more RCPharm news stories.

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RPS response to GPhC’s updated guidance on online pharmacy services

4 February 2025

Following new GPhC guidance, RPS President Professor Claire Anderson emphasises the importance of patient–prescriber interactions.