Courtesy of Justine Scanlan
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has appointed Justine Scanlan as director of pharmacy, ahead of the Society’s transition to become the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) on 15 April 2026.
In a statement published on 2 April 2026, the RPS announced that Scanlan will take up the role in June 2026.
Scanlan is currently head of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service and director of the Pharmacy Practice Unit in Liverpool. Her previous roles have included director of pharmacy at Salford Royal Foundation Trust and chief pharmacist at East Cheshire Trust. She became a Fellow of the RPS in 2021.
“I’m looking forward to joining the future RCPharm and working with colleagues, members and stakeholders to drive high standards in pharmacy practice, to ensure that the pharmaceutical care delivered to patients is of the best quality and that the safe use of medicines remains at the centre of everything we do,” Scanlan said.
The statement added that Scanlan’s appointment is “part of carefully planned and managed leadership changes announced in August 2025 and designed to ensure that key appointments are in place as [the] RPS transitions to become a royal college”.
In her new role, Scanlan will lead on the royal college’s ambitions to champion pharmacy with policymakers, partners and stakeholders across Great Britain, as well as work with the National Pharmacy Advisory Councils and national teams to drive pharmacy policy and practice, the statement said.
She will also lead royal college activities across standards and guidance, science and research, and heritage and library functions, it added.
Paul Bennett, chief executive of the RPS, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Justine as our new director of pharmacy. This is a pivotal appointment for the organisation, and Justine’s expertise, leadership experience and energy will be a great addition to the organisation and executive team.
“She will play a central role in ensuring we deliver on our commitments and continue to champion the highest standards of patient safety and care.”
On 27 March 2026, Tase Oputu, chair of the RPS’s English Pharmacy Board, was elected as president of the future RCPharm.
