The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has announced Dr Justine Scanlan as its new director of pharmacy, ahead of the organisation’s transition to become the Royal College of Pharmacy.
Dr Scanlan – who will take up her role in June 2026 – is currently head of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service and director of the Pharmacy Practice Unit in Liverpool.
A hospital pharmacist by background, she previously served as the director of pharmacy at Salford Royal Foundation Trust and chief pharmacist at East Cheshire Trust. In 2021, she was appointed a Fellow of the RPS.
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Dr Scanlan is also the only pharmacist to have been awarded a fellowship at the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement when she was part of the teaching faculty.
She brings a ‘strong background in service and quality improvement’ to her new role as director of pharmacy, the RPS said – a role that involves working with National Pharmacy Advisory Councils and country directors and teams in Scotland, Wales and England to drive forward pharmacy policy and practice.
Dr Scanlan will also lead royal college activities across standards and guidance and science and research in pharmacy practice as well as the College’s heritage and library functions.
Chief executive of the RPS, Paul Bennett, said: ‘This is a pivotal appointment for the organisation and Justine’s expertise, leadership experience and energy will be a great addition to the organisation and executive team.
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‘She will play a central role in ensuring we deliver on our commitments and continue to champion the highest standards of patient safety and care.’
Dr Scanlan said she was ‘looking forward’ to joining the future royal college and working to improve standards in pharmacy practice. ‘The safe use of medicines remains at the centre of everything we do,’ she added.
The transition to the Royal College of Pharmacy is expected to be completed by mid-April 2026.
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The election of the first president of the future royal college was announced at the end of March, following the establishment of advisory councils for England, Scotland and Wales.
Along with the appointment of the president, the advisory councils also internally elected their respective vice presidents who will serve as chairs, as well as vice chairs and additional members all of whom will sit on the senate.
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