Peer-reviewed article types
The information below provides an overview of the requirements, word limits and format for each peer-reviewed article type published in The Pharmaceutical Journal. Authors should also consult the ICMJE ‘Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals’
, in particular the section on ‘Preparing a Manuscript for Submission to a Medical Journal’, prior to submitting an article to The Pharmaceutical Journal.
CPD
CPD articles provide focused, evidence-based learning content for pharmacy professionals. CPD articles are designed to meet specific learning objectives relevant to clinical practice and are peer-reviewed to ensure they are comprehensive, authoritative and accurate. CPD articles are accompanied by an online assessment, allowing readers to test their knowledge and demonstrate evidence of their learning.
Word limit: To be agreed with the Editor at the time of commissioning.
Required sections:
- Title:
- Concisely and clearly conveys the scope/novelty of the article; not more than 8-12 words;
- Subtitle;
- Author(s) names and affiliations (including job titles);
- Keywords
- Between 5–10 words;
- Introduction;
- Body of article;
- Financial disclosure/conflict of interest statement/acknowledgements
- This section includes any financial and/or material support that was received for the research or the creation of the work, disclosing any relationships the authors have (personal, academic or financial relationships that could influence their actions). If an author has any financial involvement with an organisation or entity that may have a financial interest in, or financial conflict with, the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript, this should be disclosed. If writing assistance has been used in the creation of the manuscript, this should be stated and any sources of funding for such assistance clearly identified;
- Author contributions;
- Provenance;
- References:
- Target of 15–25 references per thousand words, following the Vancouver style of referencing (refer to style guide);
- Figures and tables:
- At least one, but no more than three figures, that help to illustrate the main findings or methods.
Reviews
Review articles cover areas of pharmacy, medicines use and pharmaceutical science that are topical and have advanced substantially in recent years. Review articles are engaging and focused, while retaining broad relevance to the pharmaceutical community. As peer-reviewed content, they present the best available published evidence on a topic or expert analysis and offer valuable context for readers. Authors are encouraged to provide insight into future developments and a balanced take on emerging ideas and trends.Two types of review article are accepted:
- Narrative review: Selected studies are compared and summarised on the basis of the author’s experience, existing theories and models. Results are based on a qualitative rather than a quantitative level.
- Literature review: Authors address a defined objective by summarising the best available evidence and providing context on the topic; they must describe their method of literature search and rationale for inclusion.
Word limit: 4,000–6,000 words (excluding references and figure/table legends) — to be agreed at the time of commissioning. The word limit may be longer at the Editor’s discretion depending on the topic.
Required sections:
- Title
- Concisely and clearly conveys the scope/novelty of the article; not more than 8–12 words;
- Subtitle;
- Author(s) names and affiliations (including job titles);
- Abstract
- Not more than 150–300 words; no references should be cited in the abstract. The abstract should highlight the importance of the field under discussion within the journal’s scope, and clearly define the parameters of the article;
- Keywords
- Between 5–10 words;
- Introduction;
- Sources and selection criteria (methods);
- Body of article
- Findings;
- Discussion;
- Conclusion;
- Key points box;
- Financial disclosure/conflict of interest statement/acknowledgements
- This section includes any financial and/or material support that was received for the research or the creation of the work, disclosing any relationships the authors have (personal, academic or financial relationships that could influence their actions). If an author has any financial involvement with an organisation or entity that may have a financial interest in, or financial conflict with, the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript, this should be disclosed. If writing assistance has been used in the creation of the manuscript, this should be stated and any sources of funding for such assistance clearly identified;
- Author contributions;
- Provenance: Whether the article was invited, commissioned or submitted;
- References: Target of 15–25 references per thousand words, following the Vancouver style of referencing;
- Figures and tables: At least one, but no more than three figures that help to illustrate the main findings or methods.
Research
Research articles give readers the opportunity to share innovations and initiatives that can improve pharmacy services. The reports can focus on any area of practice, including delivering clinical services, pharmacy administration, or new approaches to inform and engage with patients. The main criteria for accepting research articles are:
- Results achieved: Research articles should show that they can result in one or more of the following:
- Actual improvement in patient care;
- Better co-ordination and integration between various sectors in healthcare;
- Changes in local, national or regional social, economic and environmental policies and strategies;
- Changes to local or national decision-making;
- Recognising and addressing specific opportunities and constraints;
- More efficient use of human, technical and financial resources at the local/national level;
- Changes in people’s attitudes, behaviour and roles.
- Sustainability: Research articles should show that they can result in sustainable change, particularly with regards to funding, cultural and institutional change.
- Reproducibility and transferability: The article should describe how the initiative could be replicated, and if the process of replication has commenced, when and by whom.
Word limit: 4000–6000 words (excluding references and figure/table legends) — to be agreed at the time of commissioning. The word limit may be longer at the Editor’s discretion depending on the topic.
Required sections:
- Title
- Concisely and clearly conveys the scope/novelty of the article; not more than 8–12 words;
- Subtitle;
- Author(s) names and affiliations (including job titles);
- Abstract
- This should be structured like the main headings of the paper (e.g. Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion) and be 150–300 words. No references should be cited in the abstract;
- Keywords
- Between 5–10 words;
- Introduction;
- Methodology
- Situation before the initiative began;
- Establishment of priorities;
- Formulation of objectives and strategies;
- Mobilisation of resources;
- Process;
- Results
- Results achieved;
- Discussion
- Sustainability;
- Lessons learned;
- Transferability;
- Related policy/ies or legislation;
- Limitations;
- Key points box
- A series of five bulleted summary points (approx. 100 words) that illustrate the main topics or conclusions of the article;
- Financial disclosure/conflict of interest statement/acknowledgements
- This section includes any financial and/or material support that was received for the research or the creation of the work, disclosing any relationships the authors have (personal, academic or financial relationships that could influence their actions). If an author has any financial involvement with an organisation or entity that may have a financial interest in, or financial conflict with, the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript, this should be disclosed. If writing assistance has been used in the creation of the manuscript, this should be stated and any sources of funding for such assistance clearly identified;
- Patients’ rights to privacy
- Patients have a right to privacy that should not be infringed without informed consent. Identifying information should not be included unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent or legal guardian) gives written informed consent for publication. Informed consent for this purpose requires that the patient be shown the manuscript to be published. When informed consent has been obtained it should be indicated in the manuscript;
- In an attempt to maintain patient anonymity, identifying details should be omitted where they are not essential. However, patient data should never be amended or falsified. Informed consent should be obtained whenever there is any doubt that anonymity can be assured;
- Author contributions;
- Provenance
- Whether the article was invited, commissioned or unsolicited;
- References
- Target of 15–25 references per 1000 words, following the Vancouver style of referencing;
- Figures and tables
- At least one, but no more than three figures that help to illustrate the main findings or methods.
Perspectives
The aim of perspective articles is to stimulate debate on timely subjects within pharmacy, medicines use and the pharmaceutical sciences. The author is encouraged to be opinionated and present criticism, but will argue a clear viewpoint, based on available evidence, verified by peer review, while discussing caveats and alternative views in a balanced way. Perspective articles are forward-looking and focus on areas of advancement and or controversy.
Word limit: 4000-6000 words
Required sections:
- Title
- Concisely and clearly conveys the scope/novelty of the article; not more than 8–12 words;
- Subtitle;
- Author(s) names and affiliations (including job titles);
- Abstract
- Not more than 150–300 words; no references should be cited in the abstract. The abstract should highlight the importance of the field under discussion within the journal’s scope, and clearly define the parameters of the article;
- Keywords;
- Between 5–10 words;
- Introduction;
- Body of article
- Findings;
- Discussion;
- Conclusion;
- Key points box;
- Financial disclosure/conflict of interest statement/acknowledgements
- This section includes any financial and/or material support that was received for the research or the creation of the work, disclosing any relationships the authors have (personal, academic or financial relationships that could influence their actions). If an author has any financial involvement with an organisation or entity that may have a financial interest in, or financial conflict with, the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript, this should be disclosed. If writing assistance has been used in the creation of the manuscript, this should be stated and any sources of funding for such assistance clearly identified;
- Author contributions;
- Provenance
- Whether the article was invited, commissioned or submitted;
- References
- Target of 15–25 references per 1000 words, following the Vancouver style of referencing;
- Figures and tables
- At least one, but no more than three figures that help to illustrate the main findings or methods.
Non-peer-reviewed article types
News
We welcome press releases and notices of new developments for consideration as news items. These should be brought to the attention of the news desk (tel: 020 7572 2415, email:
news.editor@rpharms.com
)
Features
Features are long-form pieces (around 2000 words) which analyse new concepts and approaches in the pharmacy, science, policy or medicines use. These articles are written by professional journalists and aim to be entertaining, imaginative and informative, with eye-catching illustrations and/or infographics. If you are a journalist with an article idea to pitch, please contact our Features Editor.
Comment
Comment articles are around 1200 words long and should be authoritative and engaging opinions on topical issues, with relevance to pharmacy professionals. They should be structured, argue for change and outline the implications of legal or policy changes and what they mean for people, healthcare and the pharmacy profession. If you wish to contribute a comment or a column, please contact our Opinion Editor with an outline of your idea.
Insight
Insight articles are around 1500 words long and are evidence-based opinion articles on medicines or clinical practice, written by a wide range of expert authors and supported by scientific evidence. They look closely at future developments in medicines or clinical practice, with relevance for pharmacists, researchers and patients. They often focus on the application of science in practice. If you wish to contribute an insight piece, please contact our Opinion Editor with an outline of your idea.
Tributes/obituaries
We welcome the submission of tributes to deceased RPS members, limited to 400 words. For individuals who made an outstanding contribution to either pharmaceutical science or practice, The Pharmaceutical Journal will author an obituary. Please if you wish to have someone considered for an obituary please get in touch with our Opinion Editor.
Books and arts
The Pharmaceutical Journal publishes reviews of books, films and cultural events related to pharmacy, healthcare, drug discovery and life science. Suggestions for reviews and offers to write for the section should be directed to the Opinion Editor.
Correspondence
Letters for publication should be emailed to correspondence@pharmaceutical-journal.com (we do not accept faxed or posted letters).
Letters are considered for publication on the understanding that they have been submitted exclusively to The Pharmaceutical
Journal. A letter should relate to a single topic only and be limited to 400 words. We also accept short communications of research, pilots and projects.
We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity and style. We will not publish letters that do not meet our editorial policies or standards.
If a correspondence is critical of individuals or organisations, details of the correspondence will be sent to those concerned and a response may be published alongside the original correspondence. Anonymity will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. These circumstances will be at the discretion of the editors and the decision made in consultation with the correspondent.
Correspondence accepted for publication will appear on pharmaceutical-journal.com. At the editors’ discretion, correspondence may be selected for publication in the print edition of The Pharmaceutical Journal.
Blogs
These are 800-word pieces, written by a pharmacy professional and giving a personal perspective on their work, NHS/Government policy or medicines use. They are conversational in style, can cover a variety of topics and should enlighten and entertain the reader. We welcome submissions under 800 words from all pharmacy professionals. If you wish to write for us, then please send a short summary of your idea to our Opinion Editor.
Learning articles
Learning articles are commissioned articles, written by experts, on topics related to pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences. Learning articles focus on timely issues, new guidelines, and soft skills that pharmacists and scientists need in order to succeed in their careers. If you wish to submit a learning article please email an outline to our Learning Editor.
Careers
Career features cover a variety of topics that affect pharmacy professionals’ careers at all stages, from studying to retirement. These articles can include survey results and statistic-based reports. These articles should provide advice on subjects, such as management, working conditions and pay. If you have an unusual or exciting role or have been involved in a recent and successful project that you would like to share, please contact our Careers Editor.
Announcements
The Pharmaceutical Journal is the official journal of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). The announcements, featured in the Your RPS section, contain official notices from the RPS to its members and information about upcoming events organised by the RPS. If you would like to contribute an announcement or notify The Pharmaceutical Journal about the death of a colleague or relative, please contact the RPS Correspondent.
