Jon Barlow
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has rejoined the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
In a statement announcing the decision to rejoin, published on 13 March 2023, Claire Anderson, president of the RPS, said: “Members told us they wanted to see us rejoin FIP to further our commitment to international partnerships which support education and advocacy to develop and progress the pharmacy profession.”
The RPS left FIP in December 2021, citing concerns over the cost of membership. However, at the Society’s Annual General Meeting in July 2022, a motion that the RPS “reconsiders its decision to leave the FIP and seeks to rejoin” received support from 92% of eligible members attending.
At the Society’s November 2022 Assembly meeting, Paul Bennett, chief executive of the RPS, said that a member engagement exercise had been highly supportive of rejoining, and that FIP were proposing a reform of terms of membership — after which the RPS would be able to prepare an application to rejoin.
In the statement, Anderson said: “We fully recognise the importance of international collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and best practice with our peers across the world.
“FIP are refocusing their membership offer and we’re delighted to work with them on opportunities for professional development and increased visibility and recognition for the pharmacy profession.”
Bennett said: “Now that we have rejoined, our teams across RPS look forward to reinvigorating the close collaboration we have previously enjoyed with our colleagues both within FIP itself, and across the breadth of FIP member organisations to further our vision and mission.”
Catherine Duggan, chief executive of FIP, said: “We are pleased to welcome RPS back to the FIP family.
“RPS is an influential voice in pharmacy across [Great Britain] and their rejoining will strengthen our objectives to advance pharmacy worldwide.”
