The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) in Wales has engaged with new Members of the Senedd (MSs) to talk about how the sector can contribute to the Welsh government’s health priorities.
At Y Farchnad — a marketplace event held at the Senedd on 15 July 2026 — members of the RCPharm Wales team spoke with MSs about funding for the sector, Welsh government proposals for a new cancer plan and how pharmacists can support patients with long-term conditions.
At the event, delegates also discussed sustainability, prevention, the reduction of medicines-related harm and bringing care closer to patients’ homes.
Around 70% of MSs are newly elected, following the most recent Welsh parliamentary elections on 7 May 2026, which led to a Plaid Cymru government taking over from the Labour Party.
Speaking to The Pharmaceutical Journal on 20 July 2026, Liz Hallett, chair of the RCPharm’s Welsh Pharmacy Advisory Council, said the occasion was about “introducing the RCPharm to the new Members of the Senedd, and also meeting some old familiar faces”.
“It was also about trying to align to what the new government’s polices are, to show how pharmacy links into those different areas,” she added.
In a press release published on 22 July 2026, the College said: “The team also emphasised that pharmacy teams need appropriate funding, resources and capacity to make full use of their expertise, improve patient care and help the NHS make best use of its resources.”
Hallett continued: “They’re looking at reducing medicines waste, so obviously, pharmacy has a strong role in that.
“Then there’s the health hubs, and the new cancer plan, and obviously pharmacists have great expertise in those areas. So it’s about introducing how pharmacists can influence the [government] health plan, their health strategy going forward.
“We have really strong engagement; it’s good to get that message across of what the RCPharm can do and how the pharmacy profession can support the NHS in Wales.”
Geraldine McCaffrey, director for Wales at the RCPharm, said: “Pharmacists’ medicines expertise will be crucial to delivering the Welsh government’s health priorities.
“Over the coming months, we’ll continue working with Members of the Senedd through one-to-one meetings, visits with pharmacy teams and responses to government consultations, ensuring pharmacists’ expertise and role in patient care are reflected as these plans are developed and implemented.”
