At CPC London, we were delighted to have the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) present and announce the roadmap for the move towards becoming a Royal College.

In the Leadership & Professional Development Theatre, Karen Baxter, Claire Anderson, Tase Oputu and Matt Prior delivered a compelling overview of the forthcoming transformation of the RPS into the Royal College of Pharmacy. 71.1% of voters confirmed the resolution for this significant change, which reflects the profession's response to a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

The session highlighted how the pharmacy profession in the UK is navigating unprecedented change. Increasing expectations on pharmacy professionals and their teams, advancements in medicine development, and the impact of technology including AI are collectively reshaping patient care and service delivery.

The transition to a Royal College represents more than a name change, it aims to establish a stronger foundation for the profession with a clear vision – for the UK to be the world leader in the safe and effective use of medicines. This vision is supported by a mission to position pharmacy at the forefront of patient care.

The presentation outlined a detailed timeline for this transformation. Following an 18-month process of research, engagement and planning, the RPS has been working to refine and agree on proposals, with the final decision reached in March 2025.

Under the new structure, the organisation will become a charity called the Royal College of Pharmacy, with a new Trustee Board ensuring legal, ethical, and effective operation. Any publishing activities will be managed through a wholly owned subsidiary.

The session emphasised commitment to deeper member engagement as the transformation unfolds. As the Royal College of Pharmacy, the organisation has outlined six key commitments:

• Creating greater recognition for pharmacy
• Supporting workforce transformation
• Collaboratively shaping the future of pharmacy
• Advancing pharmacists to provide excellence in patient care
• Putting patients at the forefront of work
• Ensuring member value at every career stage

The session concluded with a reflection on the leadership qualities that will be essential for this transformation to operate: integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion and resilience.

The transition to the Royal College of Pharmacy marks a significant development for the profession. Its evolution could help align pharmacy with the evolving healthcare landscape and support the continued contribution of pharmacy professionals to patient care.