Theodore Wood
The launch of the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) was celebrated on 15 April 2026 — 185 years after the founding of its predecessor, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
At the event, held at the RCPharm London headquarters at 66-68 East Smithfield, outgoing president Claire Anderson was thanked for her work leading the RPS, as she handed over the ceremonial chain of office to Tase Oputu, the inaugural president of the RCPharm.
Theodore Wood
Paul Bennett, outgoing chief executive of the RPS, remarked: “Much has changed over the past 185 years, not least — and thank goodness for this — that it’s no longer only men who occupy leadership positions in pharmacy.
“Some of the more appropriate values present at the time, however, do also still remain, such as the scientific bedrock on which pharmacy itself is built, the advancement of the profession for the ultimate benefit of the patient and the public, and the importance of education research.”
Theodore Wood
The event also marked Oputu’s first day as president of the RCPharm. She told attendees that she had joined the RPS to “be the change” in professional representation that she felt the profession needed and encouraged others to do the same.
“The world of healthcare and pharmacy is changing, it’s changing rapidly, and it’s important that we’re all part of those changes. Pharmacy does need a stronger, more influential and cohesive voice,” she said.
“People have asked me: ‘Well, what does it mean, the Royal College of Pharmacy? Is it just a name?’ Well, yes, it is a name, but it’s an important name, and it means things in those voices, in those places, those organisations and governments, even to people every day on the streets, when you talk to them about royal colleges, they know what that means.
“It symbolises something. It symbolises excellence. It symbolises who we are and who we can be as a profession.”
“So it is really important, the name, but underneath that, we still have work to do, and I’m standing here at the beginning of our journey,” she said.
Theodore Wood
Oputu praised the “spirit of inclusion and collaboration” of the journey and thanked representatives from the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board, as well as professional and patient groups and government who were present at the event.
“We will not be successful unless we are all working together, no matter where we are in pharmacy,” Oputu added.
Joe Irvin, chair of the Royal College of Pharmacy’s board of trustees, said the board would be developing a strategy, in consultation with stakeholders, based on its five commitments: “to strengthen the profession’s voice; to drive excellence in patient care; to support workforce transition; to foster collaboration; and to place patients at the forefront of our work”.
Theodore Wood
“Tonight, we’re making history. The new royal college is a chance to offer the best possible support to members in testing times to be the authoritative voice and inclusive home for pharmacy professionals across the UK, and to take our rightful place, I believe, standing proudly side by side with the other grand royal colleges,” he added.
Theodore Wood
