RPS Retired Pharmacists Group

The Retired Pharmacists Group sat outside in the sunshine by a pubGet involved, stay in touch

Once a pharmacist, always a pharmacist!

Many pharmacists find it can be hard to simply "stop" upon retirement, which is why our Retired Pharmacists Group (RPG) is so popular.

Through your RPS membership, the RPG is the easiest way to stay in touch with old friends and colleagues, to make new friends, to stay active and remain involved with pharmacy.

As an RPS retired member, you'll automatically be a part of the RPG, and will benefit from a wealth of benefits, many of them exclusive to former pharmacists.

Want to keep your connection with pharmacy alive? Our Retired Pharmacists Expert Advisory Group Plus provides advice and guidance across many aspects of pharmacy practice.

Not a member yet? Join the RPS today.

Socialising, Events and Activities

  • Regular outings and events for all our retired members
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    Our Retired Pharmacists Group members are very sociable, and we meet up regularly to talk, exercise and learn.

    All are welcome on our programme of tours and events.

    Upcoming events include:
    • Wednesday, 18 November - Continent of Contagion: European Diseases and Designs from the 17th to 19th Centuries at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London from 2pm.
      BOOKING OPENS LATER IN MAY

    Watch this space for more events and details of how to book.

    Get involved

    To organise our events, and ensure they are accessible to retired members across the UK, we need your local knowledge and help.

    If you have ideas or suggestions for future events, we'd love to hear from you - contact Jenny Boncey at [email protected]

  • The Retired Pharmacists' Walking Group
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    RPG

    Keep active and fit with our RPG Walking Group!

    Our Walking Group has walked most of the length of the Thames path in the past, and we're not about to stop.

    For more details, and to join our WhatsApp group, contact Jenny Boncey on [email protected]

    Next event
    • Wednesday, 10 June - RPG Walking Group: King Charles III Coast Path, West Sussex: Stage 5 starting and finishing at RSPB Pagham Nature Reserve.
      To join us on the walk, contact Jenny Boncey at [email protected]

    All walks have been organised informally, so taking part is a voluntary activity, and you do so at your own risk. Please ensure you are sufficiently fit to participate, and remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

And you can do a lot more...

  • Share your knowledge and experience as a Mentor
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    All our RPG members are an invaluable resource of pharmacy experience and knowledge. 

    As a member, we encourage you to sign up for the RPS Mentoring platform to share your knowledge and experience with other pharmacists.

  • Come to our annual Retired Pharmacist Conference
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    Exclusively for Retired members, our annual Retired Pharmacist Conference brings together RPG members from across the country.

    Our next conference will be in 2027, but in the meantime we have plenty more events planned. See the RPS Events pages and keep an eye on our regular members' newsletter.

  • Get involved with the RPS Museum
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    RPG

    If you haven't already visited, our famous RPS Museum covers the fascinating history of pharmacy, with hundreds of exhibits.

    You can book ahead to ensure our knowledgeable Museum staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the exhibits and their origins.

    The RPG is works closely with the RPS Museum, both on projects and as members of the Steering Committee. If you'd like to get involved with this vital work, contact Mary Tompkins at [email protected]

  • Receive our regular RPG newsletter
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    We'll email you our regular RPG newsletter, keeping you up to date with all our activities and work across the country and the profession.

  • Subscribe to the Pharmaceutical Journal
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    Of course, your RPS membership includes a subscription to the Pharmaceutical Journal, helping you stay up to date with all the latest news and developments in pharmacy.

  • Visit the RPS e-Library and Library
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    As a member, you're most welcome to come and visit our wonderful RPS Library at our London HQ.

    Browse the library, archive and print collections – a treasure trove of history!

    And our online e-Library is available to consult night or day, giving you complete access to essential pharmacy texts whenever you need them.

  • Join us at the RPS Annual Conference
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    RPG

    As an RPS member, you are entitled to a free ticket to our Annual Conference.

    A highlight of the pharmacy calendar, join over 800 fellow pharmacists in-person, and discover everything that's new in pharmacy.

    It's a once-a-year opportunity to catch up with old colleagues and friends - and make new ones.

    But hurry - tickets for our Annual Conference always sell out!

  • Come to our Regional Conferences
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    Following the success of our Annual Conference in London, the RPS now hosts three regional conferences each year: in Wales, in the Midlands, and in Scotland.

    Again, as a member, you are entitled to a free ticket for each conference.

  • Become a Committee member or events organiser
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    RPG

    We are looking for new RPG Committee members, and also need members to help organise our events programme.

    If you would like to get more involved in the RPG, please email our Chair, Lynn Haygarth, or Honorary Secretary, Alan Russell.

Pharmacist Support

Pharmacy Support logo

Pharmacist Support is the profession’s independent charity. It provides pharmacists, former pharmacists, trainees, pharmacy students and their families with free and confidential help - from counselling and peer support to financial assistance and specialist advice.

We all need a little help sometimes, so if you or someone you know is struggling, visit pharmacistsupport.org or:

Write using their online enquiry form
Email to [email protected]
Call 0808 168 2233 (freephone)