RPS welcomes UK COVID-19 Inquiry report
Published: 19 March 2026
This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
The RPS has welcomed a report by the UK COVID-19 Inquiry on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems in the UK.
The report finds that the UK entered the COVID-19 pandemic ‘ill-prepared and with its healthcare systems in a parlous state’. It argues that the healthcare systems ‘teetered on the brink of collapse’ and only coped ‘thanks to the almost superhuman efforts of healthcare workers and all the staff who support them’.
Key issues include:
- The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare, and the commitment and dedication of pharmacists, pharmacy teams and wider health professions in supporting patient care.
- The surge in demand on the healthcare system and the need to increase capacity and resilience.
- The vital role of pharmacy teams in supporting medicines delivery services for vulnerable patients.
- The need for better pre-pandemic healthcare planning as well as ensuring appropriate initial guidance on preventing the spread of infection.
- The ‘significant and long-lasting’ impact on health professionals’ mental health and wellbeing, as well as the need for access to healthcare for people with Long Covid.
The RPS was designated as a Core Participant, enabling us to make representations through legal representatives. Our evidence has been cited in the Inquiry report today.
During the Inquiry process, we highlighted the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams during the pandemic and set out key issues which should be considered by the Inquiry, including:
- Recognition of pharmacists as key workers.
- The resilience of pharmacy services in the event of a future pandemic or health emergency.
- The impact of medicines shortages on patient care.
- Investment in and resilience of aseptic pharmacy services.
- The importance of COVID-19 risk assessments for pharmacy teams.
- Eligibility of pharmacists for government life assurance schemes.
- The welfare of pharmacy teams, including Infection, Prevention and Control guidance, and the provision of personal protective equipment.
RPS President Claire Anderson said:
“Today’s report recognises the essential role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams during COVID-19.
“Our evidence to the Inquiry reflected how pharmacy teams went above and beyond in the face of unprecedented demand and the most challenging of circumstances – supporting patient access to care, maintaining vital access to medicines, and delivering millions of vaccinations.
“Pharmacy teams were on the frontline of the pandemic, but all too often were at the back of the queue when asking for support.
“With continued pressures on the health service and the whole of the workforce, it is crucial that government, the NHS, employers and others act on today’s recommendations, so that we learn from the past and build a more resilient NHS for the future.”
RPS CEO Paul Bennett said:
“The pandemic was a particularly difficult period for so many people on both a personal and professional level. The RPS felt the weight of responsibility to ensure that our members were supported to navigate the many challenges confronted as we all discovered more about Covid-19 and its nature.
“I want to pay a personal tribute to all those who were both on the front line and those working hard behind them in support who put all that effort in to helping patients and the public, even when it was taking a personal toll on them and their families.
“It was a moment that pharmacists, the wider pharmacy community and pharmaceutical scientists really stepped up to the plate. Society, Government, and the pharmacy profession must ensure that the difficult lessons learned are never forgotten and that the high price paid by those who lost their lives is always remembered.”
Listen to interviews with members about their experiences of COVID-19 as part of the museum’s oral histories project.
Read more news stories.
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