The RPS Assembly is the key decision-making 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 November meeting, RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:
UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB)
“Our positive and constructive working relationship with the UKPPLAB continues and we were delighted that the Advisory Board’s Chair, Sir Hugh Taylor chaired the partnerships session at our annual conference this month.
“A core focus of the Board is enhancing the standards, education and practice of pharmacy professionals. RPS is represented on a programme sub-group set up by the UKPPLAB to support this and has already submitted papers on our approach to education through the e-portfolio, mentoring and training; another on the role of assessment and credentialing in the post-registration space and a paper about how we develop professional standards to improve pharmacy practice.”
Constitution and governance review
“Throughout October and November, we held 15 in-person events across the three nations, supported by two webinars, to inform and engage with members and non-members on our proposals to become a Royal College.
“Our aim was to give pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists (members and non-members) early sight of our proposed structure and get feedback. We had many insightful comments and meaningful and positive conversations with those who attended. A report of the questions and answers given at the Roadshows will be published in December, so those who were unable to attend will also have access to the issues raised at the events.
“Assembly also approved the draft of the Charter which includes the structure explained in detail at the recent Roadshow events and set out on our website, along with the question to be put to our membership for the special resolution vote that will allow provisions of our Charter to be amended to enable RPS to become the Royal College of Pharmacy.
“All details of the changes will be placed in front of our membership in January so they can be fully examined before we proceed to a vote of members and Fellows, which will take place the first quarter of 2025, depending on the Privy Council’s timeline. Charter change requires a two-thirds majority of those voting to approve the changes in order that they progress.”
2025 elections
“As the proposed Special Resolution vote timeline (which has been developed with legal and governance advice) conflicts with our usual election cycle, it was proposed to Assembly that the National Board elections scheduled for spring 2025 be cancelled for a period of up to 12 months.
“Assembly discussed this issue at length and felt compelled to agree the proposal to delay the elections for up to 12 months.
“There was agreement that holding elections early in 2026, with candidates to then take office under the new governance structure, was the best option but Assembly asked that this proposal and the reasons behind the decisions were set out before the membership as part of the Gazetting process in order that members were able to make their views known. Assembly will review comments and views from members and make a final decision as to the date for the rescheduled elections based on member feedback and final discussions.
“It’s important that members are clear about the kind of organisation we will become before they stand for election or vote for new Board members. As our regular election schedule is out of kilter with our proposed timeframe for elections to the national Pharmacy Boards, we have proposed to defer the Board elections for up to 12 months in line with our transition to a new organisation and extend the terms of office of affected Board members for the same period.
“In the interests of transparency, openness and good governance, the regulations are gazetted on the RPS website and in the Pharmaceutical Journal so members can feedback their comments."
International work
“I’m delighted that our international work, led by Laura Wilson, our Director for Scotland, is developing at pace and RPS’ presence and influence growing on the wider stage. At FIP in South Africa we presented in three different sessions and took three posters to the conference. Elen Jones, our Director for Wales, visited Iceland to showcase advancements in Wales with the Icelandic Association of Pharmacists; we have spoken at the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana’s annual conference; highlighted our work at Brazilian Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and hosted delegations from Singapore and the Nipon University in Japan here at our London Office.
“Exciting plans are also underway to host a 4-day meeting in March 2025 of the FIP Executive Committee where we can further showcase the work of RPS and our role in global pharmacy leadership.
“I was particularly pleased that the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association attended Assembly to give an update on their work and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with them, maximising synergies and future opportunities to collaborate on revenue generating and philanthropic work.”