The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), the professional leadership body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in Great Britain, is today (12 September) announcing proposals to seek to register as a charity and move to become a royal college - The Royal College of Pharmacy.  

The proposals are the outcome of a comprehensive independent review of the constitution and governance of RPS which has taken place over the past 18 months, focusing on how RPS can best support its members and fulfil its leadership role.  

The proposed transition to a Royal College aims to establish a stronger and more collaborative leadership body that can better deliver its strategic ambitions. Central to this is enhancing and developing RPS core activities in education, assessment and credentialling, and standards and guidance to assure professional standards, to the benefit of patients and the public.  

Under the proposed new structure, the RPS’s existing knowledge business, Pharmaceutical Press, would become a wholly owned subsidiary called Pharmaceutical Press Ltd, accountable to the charitable body of the Royal College of Pharmacy.  

RPS will be holding a series of engagement events across Great Britain starting in October and running over two months to provide detail about the proposed changes and gather feedback. 

The changes require a vote of support from RPS members before being submitted to the Privy Council to approve amends to the organisation’s current Royal Charter, and the charity regulators. It is expected that the vote will take place early in 2025, and endorsement by a two-thirds majority of voting members will enable the changes to progress. 

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:  

"Pharmacy is changing rapidly and the expectations placed upon pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team will have profound repercussions in terms of delivering patient care. 

“It’s time for pharmacy to take its place alongside other health and medical professional leadership bodies and for RPS to become the Royal College of Pharmacy.  

“Becoming a Royal College is a natural progression, reinforcing our commitment to our members and enhancing our capacity to serve patients and the public. 

“It will empower us to better advocate for pharmacy and deliver our mission and vision; ensuring that we are always at the forefront of the safe and effective use of medicines.” 

RPS Chief Executive Paul Bennett said: 

“Our proposed change in status reflects our commitment to the highest standards of professional leadership and patient care.  

“It will enable us to be more agile, collaborative and influential across healthcare. As a Royal College, we will have a stronger platform to advance the profession, push for the best possible outcomes for patients and support our members through a rapidly evolving environment.  

“We are hugely excited about this next chapter in our history and want to engage with our members and stakeholders to shape the future together. We are keen to hear the views of members and the wider pharmacy community about these proposals and urge everyone to get involved.” 

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