Open Letter to UK Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Trainees and Students

Open Letter to UK Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Trainees and Students

 

Through an open letter published on its website, the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board is inviting pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy trainees and students across the UK, to sign up to learn more about its proposals for a more inclusive Royal College of Pharmacy.

 

In a statement next month, the Board will publish its collaborative proposals for a bold and ambitious new approach to professional leadership in the UK and set out a process for future collaboration as the Royal College of Pharmacy continues to take shape.

 

Colleagues across pharmacy are being invited to sign up to receive the statement, join webinars with Board members across the UK, which will take place in February and March 2026, and engage with their member organisations, to discuss the proposals ahead of the Board developing its next steps.

 

Since April 2024, the Board – which comprises eight pharmacy professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as well as Independent Expert Members – has been working to co-create a stronger, more inclusive, effective and sustainable professional leadership model for the future.

 

The proposals have been developed by Board members and through widespread engagement over the past two years. They will set out a process for future collaboration which will be grounded in further member engagement and consultation.

 

You can read the open letter from the Board in full here: https://jointheconversation.scwcsu.nhs.uk/pharmacy-professional-leadership/news_feed/open-letter-to-uk-pharmacists-pharmacy-technicians-and-pharmacy-trainees-and-students

 

Commenting on the opportunity offered by the Royal College of Pharmacy, Sir Hugh Taylor, Independent Chair of the Board, said:

 

“After extensive discussion and consultation, the Board is united in its view that the Royal College of Pharmacy offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform pharmacy professional leadership across the UK.

 

“It has the potential to meet the aspirations of the pharmacy professions in all four countries, and we believe the time is right to move forward together. I hope colleagues will take the time to engage with our proposals and share their feedback and support.”

 

Joint statement from Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, our current Chair, and Joseph Williams, our Past Chair (2022-2025):

“As the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA), we welcome the opportunity to help shape a transformed model of pharmacy professional leadership that is inclusive, trusted, and responsive to the needs of the patients and professions we serve. Central to this will be a commitment to listening to the BOPA community and ensuring that the voices of cancer pharmacy staff across all sectors are reflected in future decision making. The development of a Royal College of Pharmacy offers a critical moment to rebuild confidence, strengthen collaboration across the system, and establish a leadership structure that provides clear, coherent oversight for the whole profession, that truly reflects the breadth and depth of pharmacy practice in the UK.  We look forward to engaging with the proposals and working collectively to ensure the new model supports pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and all pharmacy staff to deliver the highest standards of care.”

 

The Board’s webinars will each have a particular focus but everyone is welcome to join them – you can register via the links below:

 

• Tuesday 24 February, 6-7pm – to focus on pharmacy technicians across the UK.
• Wednesday 25 February, 6-7pm – to focus on pharmacy teams in Northern Ireland.
• Tuesday 3 March, 7-8pm – to focus on members of specialist professional groups.
• Wednesday 4 March, 1-2pm – to focus on pharmacy students and trainees.