The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) today announces details of the inaugural elections for the future Royal College of Pharmacy, to be held in early 2026 and with nominations opening on 5 January 2026.

The elections will be for places on the three National Pharmacy Advisory Councils (currently called National Pharmacy Boards) in England, Scotland and Wales, which are a pivotal part of the new governance structure. The elections offer an exciting and unique opportunity to shape the new organisation – particularly pharmacy policy and practice - in each nation and across Great Britain.

The three National Pharmacy Advisory Councils for England, Scotland and Wales will contribute to the development of the College’s strategy and aid its implementation  within each nation. Each Council, and its elected members, will be responsible for:

• Developing pharmacy policy and practice in their nation
• Supporting professional development activity in their nation
• Engaging with members and representing the College

The elected members of each National Pharmacy Advisory Council will be able to put themselves forward for additional roles in the royal college governance structure, by being elected to positions that sit on the Senate and the Board of Trustees.

In order to be eligible to stand as a candidate, individuals must be a Member (MRPharmS) or Fellow (FRPharmS) of RPS and a current registrant of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Candidates will only be eligible to stand for one National Pharmacy Advisory Council, which is determined by their place of work, and (in a change to past requirements) will need two nominators, a Proposer and a Seconder who must both be RPS members, to be put forward.

RPS welcomes applications from individuals of all protected characteristics and strongly encourages those from underrepresented groups, including members from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people of all abilities, and individuals from diverse communities to stand for election to the National Pharmacy Advisory Councils. Diverse perspectives and experiences are vital to ensuring that the future royal college’s governance structures reflect the professionals and communities it serves.

Anyone who wishes to stand as a candidate must be a full member at 5pm on Thursday 29 January 2026.

Candidates wishing to stand for the English Pharmacy Advisory Council, Scottish Pharmacy Council and the Welsh Pharmacy Advisory Council must submit their nomination between 11am on Monday 5 January and 5pm on Monday 2 February 2026.

Full details of the 2026 elections for the future Royal College of Pharmacy can be found on the RPS website.

Anyone wishing to vote in these inaugural elections must be a full member on Thursday 29 January 2026 at 5pm.

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

“These inaugural elections are a significant milestone on our journey to becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy. It’s an exciting and unique opportunity for members from across pharmacy to put themselves forward and play a key role in shaping the new organisation and particularly pharmacy policy and practice in each nation and across Great Britain.

“I urge everyone with a passion for pharmacy to consider standing and put themselves forward to play an important role in establishing the first chapter of the new royal college and into the future.”

RPS Chief Executive Paul Bennett said:

“We’ve made the nomination criteria for these elections more accessible and inclusive and would particularly like to see nominations from under-represented groups, people of all abilities, and those from diverse communities. We want to ensure the future royal college is led with full understanding of the range of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our profession and the communities we serve. We want every elected member to feel they belong and can fully contribute.

“I strongly encourage you to consider standing in these crucial, inaugural elections to play an important part of the journey to becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy – you can help shape the future of pharmacy.”

Full details of the 2026 elections

Read the Election Pack

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