NPAIN FOCUS
Scotland NPA Member Forum Please come along to the next NPA forum, taking place near Falkirk on Wednesday 3rd June from 1- 5pm. As usual, we will be discussing the topics that matter most to your business. Further details will be available shortly on the NPA website.
Community pharmacy and general practice conference Birmingham 21-22 June NPA members from across the UK are welcome to attend our two-day Community Pharmacy and General Practice conference, ‘Powering Neighbourhood Health Together’. This unique event held over two days in Birmingham will bring together pharmacists and GPs from across the UK to forge closer working ties across primary care. Register for free now!
Three new NPA Insurance services rolled in at no extra charge We are delighted to remind you that from January 2026, NPA Insurance no longer charges for providing cover for phlebotomy, ear irrigation and cryotherapy.
This enhancement reflects NPA Insurance's continued commitment to supporting the growth and development of community pharmacy as it moves into a more clinical sphere and offers more private and NHS services to patients.
In addition, our professional indemnity policy covers members for Pharmacy First, all vaccinations and Patient Group Directions including weight loss.
Supervision Following the new pharmacy supervision legislation that came into effect from 7 January 2026, we have updated our SOP's including: 'Operating in the absence of the RP when signed in' and 'Handing out dispensed prescriptions.'
Our commitment to your future as prescribers We believe that community pharmacists should be empowered to deliver clinical care directly from the heart of their communities, improving patient access and reducing pressure on GPs.
That’s why NPA members can access webinars, workshops and a wide range of practical
Janice Oman Scotland Representation Manager
resources, as well as speaking to our in-house experts for advice.
We work closely with our colleagues in NPA Insurance, who provide valuable insights from from prescribing incidents and professional indemnity issues.
Our vision is a future where independent prescribing in community pharmacy is not just an add-on, but a core function of community pharmacy, delivering accessible, highly clinical, high-quality care to patients in their neighbourhoods.
To start or accelerate your prescribing journey, please visit the Membership Hub and search for ‘prescribing’.
RPS ANNOUNCES PRIVY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF ROYAL CHARTER CHANGES
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has announced that proposed amendments to its Royal Charter have received approval from the Privy Council, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s plans to modernise its governance and evolve into the Royal College of Pharmacy.
The changes form part of a broader programme aimed at strengthening the professional leadership of pharmacy and ensuring the organisation is structured to support the profession in the years ahead.
A Royal Charter defines the purpose, powers and governance of an organisation and is granted by the Monarch on the advice of the Privy Council.
The RPS was originally granted its Charter in 1843 and it has been amended several times since, most recently following the separation of its regulatory role in 2010 when the General Pharmaceutical Council was established.
The newly approved amendments pave the way for a number of key structural changes within
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the organisation. Among the most significant proposals is the transition of the RPS to become the Royal College of Pharmacy, bringing pharmacy in line with other healthcare professions that are represented by royal colleges.
The changes also include plans for the RPS to operate as a registered charity, supported by a new governance model.
Under this structure, a Trustee Board will take responsibility for legal and financial oversight of the organisation, ensuring compliance with charity law and providing strategic leadership.
As part of the governance reforms, the current Assembly will be renamed the Senate, retaining oversight of professional matters across Great Britain.
Meanwhile, the existing National Pharmacy Boards will continue to represent the interests of pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales, although they will be renamed National Councils to avoid confusion with the new Trustee Board.
The proposed changes are intended to provide greater flexibility, strengthen governance and ensure the organisation is well positioned to support the profession as pharmacy practice continues to evolve.
The move towards becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy is viewed by the RPS as a natural progression for the professional body, enabling it to enhance its role in professional leadership, education and the advancement of pharmacy practice for the benefit of patients and the public.
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