The RPS Assembly is the primary governance body of RPS which is responsible for setting strategic direction, financial management and organisational governance. 

Commenting on the following discussion points at the Assembly’s March meeting, RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

Special Resolution Vote

“I’m delighted to announce that Members have voted in favour by way of a Special Resolution Vote in support of proposed changes to the RPS’ Royal Charter and our transition to Royal College and charity.

“We will now focus on progressing the necessary steps with the Privy Council, Charity Commission, and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Our goal is to complete our transition by Spring 2026.”

Elections

"Following the membership's vote in support of the proposed changes that affect governance, Assembly stood by its original decision taken in November last year to not go ahead with Board elections in 2025. If elections were to be held in 2025 then these elections would be for RPS - and there would still need to be elections held in 2026, when they would be elections for the new Royal College.

“Assembly has taken this matter very seriously and in a challenging discussion debated the pros and cons of this issue at length, considering all implications.

“Assembly members felt that as custodians of RPS during a period of significant change, they had a responsibility to ensure the organisation had stability to ensure smooth progress implementing the changes required to become a royal college and charity, as well as the work required to set up a wholly owned trading subsidiary.

“This work needs to be managed alongside other major organisational priorities such as our professional leadership role, in collaboration with others in the pharmacy ecosystem, our policy and advocacy agenda, and transforming the experience of our members.

“Holding elections early in 2026 will allow the organisation to progress so that members who seek election will have the opportunity to take forward the strategy of the new royal college. Elections will be held as early as possible to align with the new governance structure and the delivery of the Royal College of Pharmacy.”

UKPPLAB

“The UKPPLAB meeting in March approved the ‘Vision and common purpose for pharmacy’ which is the outcome of extensive consultation with organisations and pharmacy teams across the country as part of its collaborative and inclusive approach. The statements were discussed by RPS Assembly and endorsed. If agreed by the individual member organisations of UKPPLAB, this document will be jointly owned and will be hosted on the respective organisations website in due course.”

Museum

“Our fantastic Museum goes from strength to strength and makes an exceptional contribution to pharmacy history. Founded almost at the same time as RPS in 1842, we are very conscious that we are custodians of our profession’s past and present as we move into the future. Our team are making great headway with new developments including a space in our reception for families and children. This includes toys, books, and activity sheets, making the space more accessible to all visitors.

"The Covid-19 Oral History Project, in partnership with the Retired Pharmacist Group, has now recorded nearly 30 recordings, capturing experiences of the pandemic from across pharmacy. You can find a selection of interviews on our Museum microsite."

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