Royal College of Pharmacy now established in ‘defining moment’ for profession

The transition from Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) to Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) is now complete, just over one year since RPS members voted in favour of the changes to the society’s Royal Charter in March 2025.

In a joint statement, the UK’s four chief pharmaceutical officers (CPOs) extended their “thanks to everyone whose dedication and hard work has made the Royal College of Pharmacy a reality”.

David Webb (CPO for England), Alison Strath (CPO for Scotland), Andrew Evans (CPO for Wales) and Cathy Harrison (CPO for Northern Ireland) said the establishment of the College was a “defining moment”.

“The goal now is creating an inclusive, ambitious and collaborative Royal College with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmaceutical scientists — committed to unified, collective leadership and enhancing pharmacy’s contribution to patient care,” they added.

In exclusive additional comments to The Pharmaceutical Journal, David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, said the move was a “great opportunity for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmaceutical scientists”.

“This is an opportunity to create a genuinely ambitious, modern and inclusive institution, benefiting the whole of pharmacy, which will need strong, inspirational leadership that connects across governments, national organisations and the professions,” he added.

“While this presents a real opportunity to build this professional home together, to do so will require widespread support from the professions. As the royal college becomes established, I look forward to working closely with colleagues to support implementation of this exciting vision.”

The change, 185 years after the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain was founded in 1841, follows a series of legal and governance processes, including the election of a chair of trustees and recruitment of lay trustees.

This was followed by the establishment and election of members to the three national pharmacy advisory councils, which subsequently elected members to the new Senate — including Tase Oputu as president.

“Becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy gives us a stronger platform to develop a louder and more influential voice, and a renewed purpose to champion pharmacy and drive excellence in practice,” Oputu said.

“With strong governance and profession-led leadership in place, the new royal college can step into the future with confidence and ambition, determined to play a unifying role in advancing pharmacy practice and improving patient care.”

Andrew Evans, chief pharmaceutical officer for Wales, said the transition was a “historic moment for the pharmacy professions in Great Britain”. 

“The establishment of RCPharm is an unrivalled opportunity to unify pharmacy’s voice, strengthen professional leadership, and enhance further still the contribution pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmaceutical scientists make to improving the health and wellbeing of people and the communities they live in,” he added.

Alison Strath, chief pharmaceutical officer for Scotland, said: “There is no greater reward than the satisfaction that comes from service to others that is done well; person-centred and delivered with professionalism, competency, integrity, and care. The Royal College of Pharmacy, with a firm focus on clinical excellence, research, education and professional leadership, will ensure its members deliver the best possible pharmaceutical care to the populations they serve.”

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, commented: “We have long valued our constructive relationship with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and look forward to continuing that collaboration as the college takes shape. We hope that what will emerge is an institution that works together with other leaders, in pursuit of a relevant agenda for improving care and enhancing the status of our profession.”

Meanwhile, Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association, said: “The College should lead from the front in making the case for pharmacy professionals, clearly and consistently, to policymakers, the wider health system, and the public. The value that community pharmacy delivers is substantial, yet too often under-recognised.

“This transition is a major opportunity to ensure community pharmacists are recognised, supported and empowered.”

A spokesperson for the Pharmacists’ Defence Association said: “RCPharm moves from an organisation whose previous charter required it to act in the interests of pharmacists to one that must now act in the public interest. This is a fundamental shift in its function, and its success will rest on its ability to provide clear focus in education, professional standards and public interest stewardship for pharmacy.

“We wish the royal college well in the performance of these new responsibilities, working alongside the complimentary ecosystem of pharmacists and pharmacy organisations.”

A spokesperson for the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists said that it “recognises that the establishment of the Royal College of Pharmacy represents a significant and transformative moment for the profession”.

“The scale of its agenda, and its potential influence on the future trajectory of the profession, should not be underestimated.

“The ramifications of this change have yet to be fully worked out and the effect on membership remains to be seen. For credibility, a significant increase in membership of the royal college needs to be a priority,” they added.

Graham Stretch, president of the Primary Care Pharmacy Association, said: “The College will act as the leadership body for pharmacy; coordinating, highlighting and amplifying the voices of pharmacists and, in time, pharmacy technicians working not only in primary care but across all settings.

“Facilitating collaboration and coordination between expert and specialist groups such as [Primary Care Pharmacy Association] within the College will focus and build synergies driving innovation, credentialing and career progression for colleagues.“