Pharmacy stands at a defining moment. Across England, the shift toward prevention is no longer optional, it is essential for the sustainability of our health system and the wellbeing of our communities. I believe pharmacy must be positioned at the very centre of this prevention agenda.
Every day, pharmacy professionals prevent harm, optimise medicines, support behaviour change and manage long-term conditions. We are the most accessible clinical workforce and uniquely placed to identify risk early and act decisively — particularly in cardiovascular disease prevention, where timely intervention can change life trajectories. Yet, our prevention contribution is still not consistently recognised, structured or scaled.
The royal college has a critical leadership role here. It should set a clear professional vision for prevention practice, define standards, showcase impact and equip members with practical tools and education to deliver high-quality prevention services confidently. It should also speak with a strong, unified voice to policymakers, ensuring pharmacy is embedded in national prevention strategies, not treated as an afterthought.
Prevention must also be equitable. Communities with the greatest need often have the least access to tailored support. Pharmacy can help close that gap through culturally relevant engagement, community partnership and accessible care but we must intentionally design for inclusion.
If elected, I will champion prevention as a core professional identity for pharmacy — not an optional extra but central to who we are and how we serve. The future of healthcare is prevention-led. Pharmacy should help lead it.
Ebun Ojo
Candidate for the National Pharmacy Advisory Council for England
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