The RPS’ shift to the Royal College of Pharmacy becomes official today in what it has called a “new era for pharmacy professional leadership”.
Just over a year after members voted in favour of “changes to the society’s royal charter”, the transition to royal college status “is now complete”, the college said.
The Royal College will now “build on existing strengths, with plans in place to progress its credentialing programme, develop new learning resources and deliver enhanced support for members”, it added.
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The college said it is committed to creating a “strong and unified voice for pharmacy”, supporting pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists to “advance the safe and effective use of medicines” and “drive excellence in practice”.
And it will continue to “work closely with members, fellows, the wider pharmacy community and patients” to shape the college’s “long-term strategy” – with a period of “evidence-gathering and deep engagement” required before the final strategy is established, it explained.
“Landmark moment”
Royal College of Pharmacy president Tase Oputu said today is a “landmark moment” for pharmacy, but that it is “just the beginning of the journey” and “the real work of change begins now”.
“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,” she said.
Oputu added that the new royal college can “step into the future with confidence and ambition”, playing a “unifying role in advancing pharmacy practice and improving patient care”.
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Inaugural chair of trustees Joe Irvin said the royal college is “beginning a new chapter for pharmacy, rooted in collaboration, inclusivity and a shared commitment to improving care”.
“Over the coming months the college will be delivering against a transition strategy, drawn from our five Commitments, while we develop our long-term strategy,” he added.
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It comes as the RPS announced last week that it had appointed Dr Justine Scanlan to the “key leadership role” of director of pharmacy, with her set to step into the role in June.
And Tase Oputu, the Royal College of Pharmacy’s first president, was elected at the end of last month by the newly established National Pharmacy Advisory Councils for England, Scotland and Wales.
