Pharmacy leadership board issues call for unity in open letter

The pharmacy sector has been urged to come together by the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) in an open letter to the profession.

The Board, which involves eight organisations, including Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) and the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association, will publish plans for an ‘ambitious new approach’ to leadership as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) becomes a Royal College in April this year.

In the letter, they said that the college has the potential to ‘unite pharmacy in a way we have not seen before’.

It added that pharmacy professional leadership ‘has been fragmented’ up to now.

The proposals are set to be published in February and will lay out a process for further work and consultation ahead of being implemented.

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Now the board is urging professionals across the pharmacy landscape to sign up to a series of webinars as part of this discussion.

These include pharmacy technicians across the UK, pharmacy teams in Northern Ireland, members of specialist professional groups and students and trainees.

It believes that the new college provides an opportunity for the industry to create a unified and inclusive professional home for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmacy trainees and students and to prioritise excellence and ambition in education, innovation and research.

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.’

Graham Stretch, president at PCPA added: ‘We have reached a tipping point where collaborative leadership in pharmacy is within our grasp.

‘A new college for pharmacy, open to all with representation and participation from all our colleagues is the goal, and will require goodwill, trust and commitment across our professions.

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‘The next few months will bring unprecedented change and I urge all members and their teams to get involved.’

Responding to the open letter, RPS president Professor Claire Anderson, said: 'As the RPS representative on the UKPPLAB I congratulate Sir Hugh and my fellow Board members on the Board’s continued commitment to deepening collaboration and to an inclusive future for pharmacy professional leadership.

'I can see significant benefits to both professionals and patients in coming together in terms of professional leadership, and it is vital that everyone in pharmacy has the opportunity to debate and discuss the proposals UKPPLAB puts forward.

'RPS has always said it is committed to exploring a more inclusive future for pharmacy professionals, but decisions about the future must be based on discussion, consultation, and trust.'

The board said they have been working with colleagues to address ‘fragmented’ pharmacy professional leadership since April 2024.

This involved establishing a new collective ‘vision and common purpose’ to allow pharmacy to work in the best way possible.

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At the RPS annual conference in November, pharmacy leaders hailed the creation of the Royal College of Pharmacy as a ‘historic opportunity’ for a collective voice – one that must be inclusive, transparent and united.

Those interested in attending the online events can sign up 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.