Pharmacy luminary makes history with RCGP honorary fellowship

Pharmacist and academic Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE has been awarded an honorary fellowship by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Professor Patel, who is a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), a former member of the RPS English Pharmacy Board and previously RPS treasurer, is the first pharmacist in England to receive RCGP honorary fellowship.

The accolade – which is the highest award given by the RCGP to non-GPs – was awarded in recognition of Professor Patel's 'exceptional contributions to healthcare, research equity and cross-professional leadership'.

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Professor Patel said: 'This stands as one of the proudest moments of my career, and for the pharmacy profession I represent.

'I hope this recognition becomes a catalyst for closer collaboration, for shared leadership, and for inspiring members of both our professions to think beyond traditional boundaries - at every stage of their careers.'

Professor Patel began his career in community pharmacy before moving into academia, where he launched the NICE student champions programme and earned one of the first NICE fellowships.

As a board member for RPS England, Professor Patel spearheaded national diabetes initiatives, including the development of a diabetes toolkit.

He is the founding director of the Centre for Research Equity at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, working in collaboration with the RCGP.

As a member of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory board, Professor Patel is a vocal advocate for the RPS becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy. He also serves as a BMJ NHS commissioner and as a professional advisor to England’s chief pharmaceutical officer, David Webb.

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Professor Claire Anderson, RPS president, said: 'I’d like to offer my warmest congratulations to Mahendra on this prestigious fellowship, which marks his huge contribution to the profession and healthcare.

'His work continues to inspire a new generation of pharmacists and researchers committed to equity, innovation, and collaborative leadership. Long may it continue.'

Speaking to The Pharmacist last year, Professor Patel emphasised the importance of community pharmacy working together with other healthcare professions to embed the sector within the future of the NHS.

‘We need to open up pharmacy within the new system and work more collegiately and collaboratively with our other professional healthcare colleagues, if we are going to be truly moving into the new NHS in an integrated fashion,’ he said.

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He reiterated the point after receiving his latest honour, insisting that 'joined-up thinking and integrated leadership across our professions has never been more urgent'.

Professor Patel added: 'I’ve always sought to break silos, widen access, and drive equity, with a clear focus on improving health outcomes by tackling the deep-rooted inequalities that persist across our communities.'