Royal Pharmaceutical Society

By Paul Bennett FRPharmS, RPS Chief Executive The journey towards the creation of the Royal College of Pharmacy, scheduled for launch on 15th April 2026, and made possible following the amendments to our Royal Charter and as confirmed recently by Privy Council, has been a long one. Arguably it has been a 185-year journey.

On 10 April, Catriona Sinclair FRPharmS, Scottish Pharmacy Board Member, joined the First Minister and Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy, Maree Todd on a visit to a Community Pharmacy in Alness in the Scottish Highlands. The First Minister and Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy Minister were both very positive about the role of community pharmacists in the heath and care system; and asked insightful questions about access to pharmacy and broader questions around workforce development.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is delighted to announce that Dr Catherine Duggan has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 RPS Charter Award, one of the highest honours the Society bestows. It will be presented at the RPS AGM which starts at 6.30pm this evening (07 April). The RPS Charter Award recognises individuals who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to pharmacy.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Justine Scanlan FRPharmS as its new Director of Pharmacy, a key leadership role as the organisation transitions to become the Royal College of Pharmacy in April. Justine is currently Head of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service and Director of the Pharmacy Practice Unit, Liverpool. She was appointed a Fellow of RPS in 2021.

On 18 March, Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland brought together politicians, Royal Colleges, the pharmaceutical industry and key stakeholders from across Scotland’s health system for a roundtable meeting in the Scottish Parliament. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recommendations in our Manifesto for Health and Climate, which we launched with Royal College of General Practitioners ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May.

News Ms Tase Oputu has been elected as the first President of the future Royal College of Pharmacy, with Council leadership also appointed across England, Scotland and Wales - marking a key milestone in establishing the College's governance.

Simon Perkins Lead at DACB's national medical-malpractice group and medical malpractice specialist Simon is a medical malpractice specialist and leads DACB's national medical-malpractice group. He has over 20 years' experience of defending clinical negligence claims, in a wide variety of specialisms, and is respected for his commercial advice and insurance law expertise.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Assembly met on 25 March 2026 for its final meeting before the organisation becomes the Royal College of Pharmacy. The Assembly, which is responsible for setting the Society’s strategic direction and ensuring effective governance and financial oversight, reviewed progress across key programmes of work and discussed preparations for the next phase of the organisation’s evolution.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has today publishedMedicines Shortages: One Year On, a report assessing progress since the launch of Medicines Shortages: Solutions for Empty Shelves in December 2024. The new report sets out where improvements have been made, where targeted action could accelerate change, and where areas of concern remain. One year on, patients, pharmacists and wider healthcare teams continue to feel the impact of medicines shortages.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has submitted its response to the General Pharmaceutical Council’s consultation on draft rules and standards for Responsible Pharmacists and Superintendent Pharmacists emphasising the need for proportional regulation that supports safe patient care.