Wes Mountain
The Royal College of Pharmacy’s (RCPharm) transition strategy “lays the foundations for pharmacy to thrive into the future”, Tase Oputu, president of RCPharm, has said.
Oputu launched the two-year strategy at the RCPharm annual conference, held in London on 6 November 2026.
In a press release published the same day, the College said that the strategy — entitled, ‘Building the future of pharmacy: our strategy 2026–2028’ — “sets out how we will transform and realise our ambitions to create a welcoming, supportive professional home for pharmacy”.
Alongside the strategy, the College has also launched an engagement programme called ‘Your voice’, which is designed to “create RCPharm’s future together”. The Your voice portal provides an online platform through which “people can share ideas, priorities and aspirations for the future of the College”, it added.
In addition, the strategy highlights plans to develop “a pathway to a special resolution vote to decide pharmacy technician membership of the College”.
Speaking at the RCPharm conference, Oputu said: “We must think about how the College reflects and supports the whole pharmacy team. I’m pleased that we will be exploring how pharmacy technicians may become part of the royal college.
“As our professions work ever more closely together to meet the needs of patients, this is an important opportunity to develop a [royal] college that reflects the reality of modern pharmacy practice while respecting the unique contribution of each profession.”
The strategy also includes an inclusion and belonging review, which ensures that “the outcomes are embedded in our culture and work”, the press release said.
Oputu also told delegates: “Inclusion must be at the heart of the [royal] college we are building. I know from my own experience that talent is not always matched by opportunity.
“I hear on a consistent basis of many people in the profession and across healthcare who face barriers because of their backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality, faith, or simply because they do not fit what others expect a leader to look, sound or think like.
“And that is why I’m particularly proud that one of the first actions by our trustee board has been to commission work to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion across the College.”
Also speaking at the conference, Karen Baxter, interim chief executive officer of RCPharm, said: “My commitment on behalf of the organisation is that this transition strategy will not be a document that sits on the shelf. It is our plan for action over the next few years.
“But an impactful delivery can only be achieved in partnership with you, members and the wider pharmacy sector. This is why this next phase is built around two simple commitments: we will listen and we will deliver. This involves getting your feedback and having you involved more deeply.“
Joe Irvin, chair of RCPharm’s board of trustees, said: “This is a strategy for transformation and achieving our ambitions. Over the next two years, we will focus on delivering increased value and greater involvement for our members while building a stronger, more influential [royal] college.”
Barnett Award 2026
During the Royal College of Pharmacy’s (RCPharm) annual conference, Heather Smith, consultant pharmacist for older people at West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, was named as this year’s winner of the Barnett Award, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to mentoring pharmacy professionals and supporting their professional development.
Smith established a peer support group for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working across primary care, community services and care homes in Leeds, which has been running for ten years.
The Barnett Award was established by RCPharm in memory of esteemed Fellow Nina Barnett, who died in 2023, and is awarded to members who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the profession.
In a statement published on 26 October 2026, Smith said: “It is an absolute honour to receive this award. Nina was so inspiring and I learnt so much from her, as did so many colleagues. Amongst other things, Nina inspired me to complete a formal coaching qualification. Coaching, mentoring and educating others, and then seeing them grow and prosper has brought me so much joy in my career.”
Louise Goldring, director of education at RCPharm, said: “We’re delighted to present this award to Heather. She has made a real difference to pharmacists through the support and guidance she gives to others.”
