UKPPLAB: Open Letter to UK Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Trainees and Students
Through an open letter published on its website, the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board is inviting pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy trainees and students across the UK, to sign up to learn more about its proposals for a more inclusive Royal College of Pharmacy.
In a statement next month, the Board will publish its collaborative proposals for a bold and ambitious new approach to professional leadership in the UK and set out a process for future collaboration as the Royal College of Pharmacy continues to take shape.
Colleagues across pharmacy are being invited to sign up to receive the statement, join webinars with Board members across the UK, which will take place in February and March 2026, and engage with their member organisations, to discuss the proposals ahead of the Board developing its next steps.
Since April 2024, the Board – which comprises eight pharmacy professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as well as Independent Expert Members – has been working to co-create a stronger, more inclusive, effective and sustainable professional leadership model for the future.
The proposals have been developed by Board members and through widespread engagement over the past two years. They will set out a process for future collaboration which will be grounded in further member engagement and consultation.
You can read the open letter from the Board in full here:
Commenting on the opportunity offered by the Royal College of Pharmacy, Sir Hugh Taylor, Independent Chair of the Board, said:
“After extensive discussion and consultation, the Board is united in its view that the Royal College of Pharmacy offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform pharmacy professional leadership across the UK.
It has the potential to meet the aspirations of the pharmacy professions in all four countries, and we believe the time is right to move forward together. I hope colleagues will take the time to engage with our proposals and share their feedback and support.”
Graham Stretch, PCPA President commented:
“We have reached a tipping point where collaborative leadership in pharmacy is within our grasp. A new college for pharmacy, open to all with representation and participation from all our colleagues is the goal, and will require goodwill, trust and commitment across our professions. The next few months will bring unprecedented change and I urge all members and their teams to get involved.”
The Board’s webinars will each have a particular focus but everyone is welcome to join them – you can register via the links below:
Tuesday 24 February, 6-7pm – to focus on pharmacy technicians across the UK.
Wednesday 25 February, 6-7pm – to focus on pharmacy teams in Northern Ireland.
Tuesday 3 March, 7-8pm – to focus on members of specialist professional groups.
Wednesday 4 March, 1-2pm – to focus on pharmacy students and trainees.
The Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) is actively strengthening its collaboration with the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) to enhance pharmacy leadership across the UK. As a member of the UKPPLAB, the PCPA plays a key role in supporting the development of unified and inclusive leadership within the profession. The Board’s work fosters closer ties between professional leadership bodies and specialist groups, with the aim of helping pharmacists and pharmacy technicians navigate future opportunities and challenges.
PCPA President, Graham Stretch, represents the Association at the Board's quarterly meetings, ensuring that the primary care perspective is integrated into discussions. The UKPPLAB has outlined a collective vision for the future of pharmacy professional leadership, encapsulated in the theme, “Enabling us to be the best that pharmacy can be.” This vision encompasses:
- Unified and Inclusive Leadership
- Fostering Collaboration
- Advocacy and Public Awareness
- Embracing Advancements in Practice
- Advancing Education, Innovation, and Research
By engaging in this important collaborative work, the PCPA demonstrates its commitment to shaping the future of pharmacy practice, with a strong focus on primary care pharmacy. This collaboration will continue to drive positive change, ensuring that the profession remains equipped to meet evolving demands and contribute to improved patient outcomes.
For more information, see Independent UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board to strengthen collaboration | Join the Conversation
Graham Stretch, PCPA President
"The UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) provides us with a once in a generation opportunity to catalyse real and lasting changes to pharmacy leadership across all four nations in the UK. Speaking to hardworking colleagues providing patient facing services across different settings, a commonly reported theme has been a disconnect between pharmacy leadership organisations and their working lives. We must ensure we co-design meaningful leadership and representative organisations that offer practical and accessible support for pharmacy professionals throughout their working lives. I would encourage all colleagues to engage and contribute in the coming months to ensure we create strong and robust pharmacy leadership for the future."
