Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

After Robbie Turner, Gail Fleming leaves RPS

Gail Fleming, the director of Education and Professional Development at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has decided to resign. Thursday, April 7 will be her last day at the RPS.

In a statement, chief executive Paul Bennett said: “On the 4th March we announced that we were proposing some changes to our executive structure.


“Further to my update on the 24th of March I can announce that Gail Fleming has decided to leave her role as Director of Education and Professional Development and her last day with us will be 07 April 2022."

Bennett wished Fleming luck and thanked "her for her excellent work since joining the organisation in 2018".

He added: “I will be updating everyone on how any changes to our structure enable us to deliver our Royal Charter obligations and our five-year strategy.”

Robbie Turner Robbie Turner

Last week, RPS also announced that "Robbie Turner has decided to leave his role as director of Pharmacy and Membership Experience and his last day with us will be 31 March 2022."

Earlier, on a proposed change to the executive structure, RPS president Claire Anderson commented: “I deeply regret seeing so much speculation in the public domain about a proposed change to the Executive Team when no decision has yet been made, and feel for those involved.

“This is an organisational decision, as it is about operational matters. RPS finances are on a secure footing and this proposal is not about cost savings. We intend to continue our investment in education and professional leadership for the future of the pharmacy profession.

“Our excellent and dedicated teams will continue to advocate on behalf of the profession across all sectors and areas of practice, including education, workforce issues, independent prescribing and inclusion and diversity.

"In particular, our work on education, including post-registration curricula, assessment and credentialing, workforce planning, leadership development and mentoring are strategically important to our profession, right from undergraduate level through foundation to advanced and consultant practice.

"We are completely committed to maintaining this work and should the proposal go ahead, there would still be a leader on the Executive with responsibility for delivering on our education strategy."

In March, RPS said that it had identified two roles at potential risk of redundancy, but did not specify which two roles were going to be axed.

More For You

Cargo plane unloading pharmaceuticals at US airport amid tariff concerns and stockpiling

Imports jumped in particular from Ireland, the top drug exporter to the US

Pic credit: iStock

Pharma imports to US surged in March as drugmakers look to avoid tariffs

Pharmaceutical imports to the US surged in March as drugmakers stocked up ahead of potential US tariffs on their products, which have historically been exempt from such fees.

Total imports of pharmaceutical products exceeded $50 billion in the month - the equivalent of 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical imports in 2024, according to data from a U.S. Commerce Department report on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less