RPS is delighted to announce today (Wednesday 26 March 2025), that Members have voted in favour by way of a Special Resolution Vote (SRV), in support of proposed changes to the RPS’ Royal Charter and our transition to Royal College.

The Special Resolution put before members by Assembly set out proposed changes to RPS’ Royal Charter, the intention to register as a charity and a move to become a Royal College, the Royal College of Pharmacy. The proposals include the intention to create a wholly owned (limited) subsidiary for publishing activities.

Details of voting

With a total of 6,144 votes cast, the results of the vote are as follows:

- Confirm the resolution: 4,369 (71.1 %)

- Reject the resolution: 1,775 (28.9 %)

RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:

“This vote is a clear mandate in favour of the proposals we have put forward, and for the transformative change this will bring. RPS can now move forward and build the collaborative professional leadership body that pharmacy deserves.

“Our ambition is to create greater recognition for pharmacy with the public, policy makers and other healthcare professionals and drive excellence in patient care. We believe that becoming a royal college would help us achieve these ambitions and that as the Royal College of Pharmacy we would be able to take forward the Commitments we have set out.”

RPS CEO Paul Bennett said:

"I’m delighted with the positive result of the vote and grateful to our members for their participation and support in this historic decision. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the debate and voted in the SRV whether for or against, your participation is valued.

“We have been very clear that this process was only the start of the journey that RPS must take, so that work begins now. We have committed to developing a new strategy for the new royal college and this will be a collaborative process in which our members will play a vital role.  

“We will now focus on progressing the necessary steps with the Privy Council, Charity Commission, and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Our goal is to complete our transition to royal college status by Spring 2026.”

The summary number of individuals eligible to vote was 19,594.

The total number of individuals who voted was 6,144, making the voter turnout 31.4%.

Find out more about our commitments as the Royal College of Pharmacy.