Skip to content

This Site is Intended for Healthcare Professionals Only

Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

RPS publishes roadshow report, membership vote on Royal College status set for Q1 2025

RPS gathers feedback on its proposals for change and its ambition to transition into the Royal College of Pharmacy.

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists provide feedback on proposed changes to the RPS constitution and governance (C&G)  

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has released a comprehensive report summarizing the discussions and feedback gathered during a series of engagement events held across Great Britain in October and November, focused on its proposals for change and its ambition to transition into the Royal College of Pharmacy.


The engagement initiative included 15 roadshow events in various cities across England, Wales, and Scotland, as well as online events and meeting presentations.

According to the report, the roadshows attracted over 1,000 registrations, with more than 540 attendees.

Hosted by the RPS leadership team and elected officials, these events brought together a diverse group of pharmacists, foundation trainees, pharmaceutical scientists, and other stakeholders from different settings and sectors.

Participants shared their thoughts on the RPS’s proposals to reform its constitution and governance, raised critical questions, and explored the implications of the proposed changes.

RPS president Professor Claire Anderson highlighted the significance of these roadshows, stating that they have provided “an invaluable opportunity to connect with members and non-members and hear their thoughts about the proposed changes, and what becoming a Royal College would mean to them and for pharmacy.”

“We are grateful for the enthusiasm, insights, and constructive feedback shared by everyone who came to one of the events. This dialogue is vital as we move forward with our proposals for change and seek to elevate pharmacy and champion our collective impact on patient care.”

The RPS said that it has taken into account the questions and feedback from members and stakeholders in the final drafting of their proposals for change, which will be published this month.

As part of the next steps in the constitution and governance (C&G) process, RPS plans to launch a campaign to inform and engage its members, leading up to a membership vote on the Royal College status in Q1 2025.

  • The current proposals include making these key changes:
  • Transforming RPS into a registered charity, overseen by a Board of Trustees.
  • Seeking to become the Royal College of Pharmacy.
  • Retaining an elected body for professional leadership, transitioning from the current Assembly to a Senate with clearly defined roles.
  • Maintaining National Boards, to be renamed National Councils, focusing on devolved national health policy.
  • Establishing Pharmaceutical Press as a wholly owned subsidiary.

For the changes to be enacted, a two-thirds majority of members’ votes in favour is required, along with approval from the Privy Council.

Additionally, obtaining charitable status necessitates agreement from charity regulators in England, Wales, and Scotland.

More For You

NHS to invest millions to boost enhanced treatment for sickle cell patients

Approximately 17,000 people live in England with sickle cell disease

Pic credit: istock

NHS to invest millions to boost enhanced treatment for sickle cell patients

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that it will invest £9 million towards the treatment of sickle cell patients.

Approximately 17,000 people live in England with sickle cell disease. Nearly 250 new cases of this inherited blood disorder is reported annually.

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS leads the world with new ‘trojan horse’ therapy for blood cancer patients

An estimated 6,000 cases of multiple myeloma is diagnosed in the UK each year.

Pic credit: istock

NHS leads the world with new ‘trojan horse’ therapy for blood cancer patients


NHS England has become the first in the world to introduce a ‘trojan horse’ therapy for the victims of blood cancer with the ground-breaking treatment slowing down the illness three-times more than existing treatments.

Keep ReadingShow less
Call to improve inclusivity in clinical research

Ethnic minority adults continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials.

iStock

Call to improve inclusivity in clinical research

A NEW report has called for the participation of a wide range of diverse communities in clinical research to make sure that the medicines meet the needs of the UK's increasingly diverse population.

The report ‘Achieving inclusivity in clinical research’, prepared by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), highlights the long-standing challenges in ensuring diversity in clinical trials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pharmacy students Learning Support Fund

Pharmacy students will be included in the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses section of the NHS Learning Support Fund.

iStock

Pharmacy students to have access to Learning Support Fund

FOR the first time in England, pharmacy students will be eligible to reimburse travel and accommodation costs while attending placements.

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that pharmacy students would finally be included in the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) section of the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS for robotic surgery

Patients undergoing robotic surgery are able to recover quicker and be discharged sooner.

Pic credit: iStock

NHS pushes for robotic surgery to reduce waiting time, improve outcomes

The NHS is planning to step up robotic surgery over the next decade to reduce waiting time, help in the speed of recovery of patients, and shorter hospital stay.

As per the NHS projections, the number is expected to zoom from 70,000 in 2023/24 to half a million by 2035.

Keep ReadingShow less