Royal Pharmaceutical Society has changed its name to the Royal College of Pharmacy and begun the process of becoming a charity.
The membership body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists said the move marked a “new chapter” in its 175-year history.
The organisation this week revealed its new logo and website, which it said reflected its “proud heritage while placing a renewed emphasis on pharmacy”.
Karen Baxter, chief executive of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “The change is more than a name change or rebrand, it is a transformation of the organisation’s corporate structure and governance.”
Baxter said the rebrand followed three years of work including a governance review, engagement with members and rigorous legal and governance processes.
“The charitable status reflects our commitment to public benefit – advancing the safe and effective use of medicines and improving care for patients and the public,” she said.
The body said it built on existing branding to keep costs “modest”, and that the change was funded using surplus income from the organisation’s publishing subsidiary and business, Pharmaceutical Press.
The organisation has elected three national pharmacy advisory councils, a senate and a president.
Tase Oputu, president of the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “Becoming the Royal College of Pharmacy gives us a stronger platform to develop a louder and more influential voice, and a renewed purpose to champion pharmacy and drive excellence in practice.”
The organisation has also appointed Joe Irvin as its first chair. Irvin has previously been chief executive of the local infrastructure body Navca and Living Streets, the charity for pedestrians. He was also chair of the charity leaders body Acevo.
Irvin said the organisation was “ beginning a new chapter for pharmacy, rooted in collaboration, inclusivity and a shared commitment to improving care for patients and the public”.
The college said it planned to “work closely closely with members, fellows, the wider pharmacy community and patients to shape our long-term strategy”.