Key Summary
- UKPPLAB has published a Concordat establishing a shared commitment to unified professional leadership.
- It builds on the board’s statement of February 2026.
- The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) is one of seven pharmacy professional leadership bodies.
The UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) on Friday (25) published a Concordat that sets out a shared commitment to establish the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) as the professional leadership home for pharmacy.
The UKPPLAB comprises RCPharm, and six pharmacy professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups, along with independent expert members.
Since April 2024, the Board has been working to create a stronger, more inclusive, effective, and sustainable pharmacy professional leadership model for the future.
The publication of the Concordat builds on the Board's statement of February 2026, and the college will shortly announce a programme of engagement starting in autumn 2026.
Tase Oputu, President of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “This Concordat is a significant moment for pharmacy professional leadership, and we commend the Board, under Sir Hugh’s leadership, for their ambition and shared commitment to working collaboratively toward a unified future that benefits professionals and the public.
“The Concordat hands the baton to member organisations to make that unified future a reality, and I particularly welcome the clear articulation of UKPPLAB members’ shared pledge to co-creating an ambitious and inclusive royal college as a wider home for pharmacy.
“To create a unified, collaborative future for pharmacy professional leadership, we need an ambitious long-term strategy for the Royal College, and we are committed to ensuring our members, and the wider pharmacy community, can play their part in developing this strategy and help shape the future direction of the College.
“The Concordat sets out a vision and an ambitious timeline for an inclusive future in which pharmacy technicians are part of the Royal College, a change which would require a positive Special Resolution Vote by College members.
“Ahead of launching such a vote, we will need to be clear with our members and pharmacy technicians how we would protect distinct professional voices and create clear arrangements for equity and governance.
“Together, we can build the future that pharmacy professionals and patients deserve.”
The Concordat signatories include: Nicola Greenhalgh, President, College of Mental Health Pharmacy; Amy Laflin, President, Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK; Sheelin McKeagney, Chair, Pharmacy Forum Northern Ireland; Tase Oputu, President, Royal College of Pharmacy; Dr Graham Stretch, President, Primary Care Pharmacy Association; John Warburton, Chair, UK Clinical Pharmacy Association; and Joseph Williams, Vice Chair British Oncology Pharmacy Association
