Pharmacy workforce planning, digital integration and sustainability in healthcare have been highlighted as central themes in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) manifestos for the 2026 devolved elections in Wales and Scotland.
With the parliamentary elections for the devolved governments scheduled for May 2026, the RPS is calling on political parties to back a series of proposals designed to ensure a ‘sustainable, integrated and strong pharmacy profession that delivers high quality, safe and effective care for patients’.
The RPS Scotland manifesto calls for the next government to:
- Ensure that pharmacists in all care settings have read and write access to an integrated digital patient record
- Improve national workforce planning for pharmacy
- Enable a more sustainable approach to medicines
- Ensure time for learning and development for all pharmacists to support workforce development and enable safe delivery of services.
Laura Wilson, director for Scotland, said: ‘Any policy brought forward should enable pharmacists to practise effectively and safely, whilst making the most of their professional experience and expertise and provide patients with the highest quality care.’
She added: ‘Top of our list is ensuring that every pharmacist has read and write access to a digital health and care record for their patients, which can be accessed regardless of their location and which technology they are using. This will enable pharmacists to make the most of all their skills, including prescribing, and ensure patients receive high-quality, effective and safe care.’
Addressing major challenges
Meanwhile, the RPS Wales manifesto calls for the next government to:
- Utilise pharmacists’ expertise to reduce hospital admissions
- Tackle medicines waste and inappropriate disposal
- Put in place the structure and resources that enable pharmacists to maximise their skills and deliver the best possible patient care
- Secure the future sustainability of pharmacy by investing in the training, retention and recruitment of the workforce.
Elen Jones, director for Wales, said: ‘Pharmacists must be central to health and care policy following the 2026 Senedd election and formation of a new government. Our manifesto sets out clear, evidence-based proposals that showcase the vital clinical role of pharmacists in delivering better care and improved patient outcomes.
‘These recommendations directly address the major challenges the next government will face – from tackling long waits and reducing hospital admissions to easing financial pressures on the system.
‘But to truly unlock the potential of pharmacy, we must see continued commitment for investment in workforce support: training, recruitment, retention, and the structures needed for pharmacists to work at the top of their licence.’
Ms Jones – who recently announced she would be leaving her role as acting director of pharmacy at RPS to become pharmacy dean at Health Education and Improvement Wales – added: ‘We’ll continue to champion these proposals, grounded in best practice and real-world impact, to ensure the voice of pharmacy is front and centre as Wales looks to the future of its health and care system.’
The RPS said it will engage with political parties and candidates across both nations to secure support for its recommendations and ensure pharmacy policy remains prominent in the next parliamentary terms, potentially running from 2026 through to 2031.
A version of this article was originally published by our sister publication The Pharmacist.
