UKPPLAB launches ‘Big Conversation’ on the future of pharmacy leadership

Pharmacy professionals are encouraged to share their views on a proposed vision and common purpose for pharmacy professional leadership – UKPPLAB

The UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB) is launching a ‘Big Conversation’ as part of a collaborative approach to shaping pharmacy professional leadership for the future.

From 3 to 25 February 2025, a series of interactive webinars will be held across the UK, inviting pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy team members to share their views on a proposed vision and common purpose for pharmacy professional leadership.

All eight professional organizations represented on the Board contributed to drafting this vision.

“The world of pharmacy is changing at an unprecedented pace, and we believe it’s crucial to involve the whole pharmacy team in shaping what comes next for leadership of the professions,” said UKPPLAB independent chair, Sir Hugh Taylor.

“By hosting these webinars, we’re creating a platform where voices from across the UK can come together to give their views and ensure that vision and common purpose for pharmacy professional leadership of the future is inclusive and effective with collaboration at its core.”

Titled ‘Enabling us to be the best that pharmacy can be,’ the webinars are open to all pharmacy professionals.

Board members from across the professions will lead discussions on the vision for professional leadership and the importance of collaboration across organizations, sectors and geographies.

Feedback from this UK-wide conversation will be reviewed in March 2025, with the final vision and common purpose set for publication in Summer 2025.

Established in 2023, the UKPPLAB aims to strengthen collaboration between pharmacy professional leadership bodies (PLBs) and specialist professional groups (SPGs), supporting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Chaired by Sir Hugh Taylor, the independent Board comprises 21 members with diverse expertise.

Over three years, the Board will oversee the implementation of recommendations from the UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership’s 2023 report.

The eight professional leadership bodies represented on the Board include:

1. Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK.

2. British Oncology Pharmacy Association

3. British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association

4. College of Mental Health Pharmacy

5. Primary Care Pharmacy Association

6. Pharmacy Forum Northern Ireland

7. Royal Pharmaceutical Society

8. UK Clinical Pharmacy Association

The webinar will be carried out throughout February –

Mon 3 Feb, 6-7.15pm UKPPLAB (England)

Tues 4 Feb, 12.15-1.30pm College of Mental Health Pharmacy

Wed 5 Feb, 12.15-1.30pm Primary Care Pharmacy Association

Thurs 6 Feb, 4-5.15pm UKPPLAB (Scotland)

Mon 10 Feb, 4-5.15pm UKPPLAB (Wales)

Tues 11 Feb, 4-5.15pm UK Clinical Pharmacy Association

Wed 12 Feb, 4-5.15pm British Oncology Pharmacy Association

Thurs 13 Feb, 4-5.15pm UKPPLAB (Public and Patient Group)

Mon 24 Feb, 12.15-1.30pm Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK

Tues 25 Feb, 7-8.15pm Pharmacy Forum Northern Ireland

Anyone working in pharmacy can register to attend any of the webinars at https://jointheconversation.scwcsu.nhs.uk/pharmacy-professional-leadership