The UK Pharmacy Practice Leaders Association (UKPPLAB) has set out proposals to expand Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) membership to include non-pharmacist pharmacy professionals. The recommendations aim to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and recognise the growing role of pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals within pharmacy practice.

The Pharmaceutical Journal reported that the proposals reflect broader discussions about membership inclusivity within professional healthcare bodies.

UKPPLAB's recommendations suggest creating new membership categories that would enable pharmacy technicians, pre-registration trainees, and other pharmacy professionals to join the RPS with appropriate rights and representation. The proposals emphasise the need for professional bodies to evolve membership structures to reflect modern healthcare delivery models.

The recommendations come as pharmacy practice increasingly relies on integrated teams where pharmacy technicians and other professionals work alongside pharmacists in clinical and operational roles. UKPPLAB argues that expanded membership would strengthen professional standards, improve workforce development, and enhance the collective voice of the pharmacy profession.

The proposals also address governance considerations, suggesting how non-pharmacist members could participate in Society activities whilst maintaining appropriate professional distinctions. UKPPLAB emphasised that expanded membership would not dilute pharmacist professional identity but would instead strengthen the broader pharmacy workforce.

The RPS would need to consider constitutional changes and consult its existing membership before implementing any expanded membership model. The proposals reflect a growing trend among professional bodies to adapt membership frameworks to accommodate multidisciplinary healthcare teams and evolving professional roles.

Similar discussions are taking place across healthcare professional bodies as sector boundaries become more fluid and collaborative practice models become standard.

View more to see the full proposals for expanding Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership to include wider pharmacy professionals.