Key Summary
- RPS feels the parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland in May, 2026, provide an opportunity to highlight their priorities
- They want both governments to invest in training the pharmacists and enable them to maximise their skills
- They want the Welsh government to tackle the problem of medical waste and improve its disposal
With both Wales and Scotland going to the polls next year, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has published a list of asks for the next governments.
RPS said the parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland in May 2026 provide an opportunity to highlight their priorities in the pharmacy sector and pharmacy professionals.
In their Scottish manifesto, the RPS wants pharmacists in all care settings to have read and write access to an integrated digital patient record.
They want the next government to improve national workforce planning for pharmacy and ensure time for learning and development for all pharmacists to support workforce development.
They also want the government to ensure that medicines are more environmentally sustainable.
In their Welsh manifesto, they want the pharmacists' expertise to be utilised to reduce hospital admissions.
They want the government to put in place the structure and resources that enable pharmacists to maximise their skills.
They want the government to invest in the training, retention, and recruitment of pharmacists.
They have also called for tackling the problem of medical waste and improving its disposal.
The RPS will be engaging with political parties, politicians and candidates in both nations to seek support for these asks.
RPS Scotland director Laura Wilson said the manifesto highlights some important points.
"Top of our list is ensuring that every pharmacist has read and write access to a digital health and care record for their patients which can be accessed regardless of their location and which technology they are using. This will enable pharmacists to make the most of all their skills, including prescribing, and ensure patients receive high-quality, effective and safe care," she said.
Wilson claimed she is looking forward to engaging with politicians and political candidates.
RPS Wales director Elen Jones said, "Our manifesto sets out clear, evidence-based proposals that showcase the vital clinical role of pharmacists in delivering better care and improved patient outcomes."
He pointed out that the recommendations directly address the major challenges in the healthcare sector the next government will face.
"But to truly unlock the potential of pharmacy, we must see continued commitment for investment in workforce support: training, recruitment, retention, and the structures needed for pharmacists to work at the top of their licence," he said.
