A Royal College of Pharmacy: The what, the why and the how

In March 2025 the members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) where asked to vote on a special resolution to change their existing Royal Charter and become a Royal College.
Just over 31 per cent (6,144) of the total membership (19,594 with MRPharmS and FRPharmS) voted. Of those, 71 per cent (4,369) voted in favour, sufficient to carry the vote for change and mandate the RPS to begin the process of transition. The plan is to complete the transition by the spring of 2026.
Given that turnout for board elections was normally around 10 per cent, this is an improvement, but still only a small proportion of the 64,393 pharmacists that were on the GPhC register in 2024.
The fact that only 30 per cent of pharmacists currently choose to be a member probably reflects on the divergent nature of the profession and historical issues relating to engagement, leadership, governance and transparency plus a lack of understanding of the purpose of a professional body.