Voting has opened for the “first-ever” elections to the Royal College of Pharmacy, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has announced.
It said the “historic” elections will see members appointed to the three National Pharmacy Advisory Councils in England, Scotland and Wales - and each will “develop pharmacy policy and practice in their nation”.
The councils will then “elect representatives to the new senate for the royal college”, it added, who will “advise the Board of Trustees on professional matters and leads on pharmacy policy and practice at a GB level”.
Each council and its members will take part in “developing pharmacy policy”, “supporting professional development” and “engaging with members”, the RPS said.
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Any RPS members (MRPharmS) or fellows (FRPharmS) who were members of the society on January 29, 2026 at 17:00pm are eligible to vote.
Voting opened on February 23 and will close on March 11 at 17:00pm.
There are 26 candidates for the English council and seven for the Welsh council - and there will be no election for Scotland as the five total candidates “match the number of vacancies”, the RPS said.
Information about the candidates can be found on the RPS website and votes can be made online here.
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The society will also be holding its elections for the roles of president, vice president and vice chair earlier than usual, the body announced, opening on March 13 this year due to its upcoming transition to the Royal College of Pharmacy.
Candidates wishing to put themselves forward should write a personal statement describing “why you are the right person to hold one of these roles” by March 17, it said.
“More than an election”
The RPS said the council elections “offer an exciting and unique opportunity to shape the new organisation - particularly pharmacy policy and practice - in each nation and across Great Britain”.
RPS president Professor Claire Anderson said this “is more than an election”.
“It is a chance to shape the leadership that will inspire and guide us for years to come,” she added. “Together, we have the opportunity to build a college that reflects who we are and what we aspire to be.”
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And RPS chief executive Paul Bennett said “these first elections to the National Pharmacy Advisory Councils are a significant step towards shaping the new Royal College of Pharmacy”.
It comes after the RPS opened nominations for the elections on January 5, describing them as “a unique opportunity for members to influence pharmacy policy and practice”.
