CPPE: Pharmacy Conversations

What’s in a name?
In this episode, we are joined by joined by Karen Baxter (deputy CEO, RPS) and Geraldine McCafferty (director for Wales, RPS) to explore one of the most significant developments for the profession in recent years – the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s transformation into the Royal College of Pharmacy.
After recounting their professional journeys, our guests reflect on change behind the scenes at the RPS, and what it will mean for members across the UK.

For your consideration…
RPS, Our Commitments as the Royal College of Pharmacy
Share your views on the Commitments – and your hopes and aspirations for the new royal college – by emailing [email protected]

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Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Describe the purpose and key features of the transition from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to a Royal College of Pharmacy, including changes to governance, membership and professional leadership
Analyse how Royal College status could influence pharmacy practice, professional identity and collaboration across the wider healthcare system
Evaluate how education, credentialing and professional development frameworks may support career progression and improved patient care within the evolving pharmacy workforce

The why and how of a change shaping the future of community pharmacy
In this episode, we explore the Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Prescribing Initiative with guests Reena Barai (a community pharmacist delivering the pathfinder service), Dina Thakker (an ICB lead supporting local implementation) and Vijay Saravanan (a representative from NHS England leading on the national pathfinder programme).
We look why the pathfinder was launched, and the potential of independent prescribing in community pharmacy. You’ll hear honest reflection on the challenges of implementing the pathfinder, practical learning on what worked and what could be better, and a look ahead to wider service rollout.

Resources
• CPPE, Prescribing learning gateway

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Describe the purpose, structure and strategic drivers of the Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Prescribing Initiative, including how it fits within the wider NHS landscape.
Analyse the benefits and challenges of implementing prescribing services in community pharmacy from practice, system and national perspectives.
Reflect on and apply shared learning and success factors to their own role or organisation when considering the development or support of community pharmacy prescribing services.

Here’s some food for thought: the biochemistry of food!
In this episode, we explore how pharmacy professionals can support people with their nutrition and weight management. Joining us are nutrition specialist Lisa Jamieson MSc and CPPE’s own Emma Anderson.
Lisa highlights how nutrition underpins every aspect of health and illness, the importance of recognising malnutrition, and more. Emma recounts her journey developing weight management services in community pharmacy – one of challenging misconceptions and emphasising the need for a non-judgemental, individualised approach.

Resources
CPPE, Weight management - prescribing perspectives workshop
CPPE, Weight management learning gateway
CPPE, Nutrition, medicines and myths: evolution of pharmacy practice learning gateway
CPPE, Nutrition - how medicines affect nutrition distance learning

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Explain the links between nutrition, weight management and overall health – including how medicines and nutrients intake interact.
Assess how pharmacy teams can sensitively and confidently identify and support people with nutrition and weight management challenges.
Reflect on and propose ways to integrate nutrition-focused conversations and evidence-based advice into everyday pharmacy practice, to improve patient outcomes.

One in every five people will start to live with sight loss in their lifetime. What can pharmacy do to help?
In this episode, we are joined by Lisa Riste, Nishi Gangani, and Kim Bassi to explore their involvement in FLAG-Me, an innovative project aiming to improve medication safety for people with visual impairments. What challenges do patients with sight loss face when accessing and taking medicines, and what simple but effective steps can you take to help them? Let’s find out.

Resources
FLAG-me
Royal National Institute of Blind People
Henshaws, Sight loss support
eMC, patient information leaflets
FutureLearn, Supporting Medicine Use by Older People with Visual and/or Hearing Impairment (free online course)
#KnowYourDrops, Eye Drop Compliance Campaign to Achieve Medicines Optimisation in Ophthalmology (research presentation/poster)

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Describe the key challenges that patients with visual impairments face when accessing and using medicines safely.
Analyse how pharmacy teams can integrate FLAG-Me and other practical strategies into their workflows to improve patient safety and accessibility.
Evaluate the importance of patient-centred communication and collaboration in developing safer, more inclusive pharmacy services.

What can everyday pharmacy practice do for men, and how can that care be delivered equitably across all backgrounds?
In this episode, we speak about men’s health with two leading voices: Peter Baker (director of Global Action on Men’s Health) and Ade Williams (lead prescribing pharmacist at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol). It’s an honest and inspiring discussion.
We explore the stark inequalities in men’s health outcomes – particularly in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health – and reflect on how community pharmacy is uniquely placed to help address these disparities. Ade shares practical examples of local initiatives (including health checks in pubs and barber shops!) while Peter offers a national and global perspective on the need for systemic change.

Resources
CPPE, Men’s health learning gateway
Men’s health forum
Prostate cancer UK
The Pharmaceutical Journal, How to conduct effective men’s health promotion in community pharmacy
Global action on men’s health
FIP, Advancing men’s health through pharmacy

Want more? Follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, or visit cppe.ac.uk.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
Explain the key health inequalities affecting men in the UK and the wider global context.
Identify how pharmacy teams can adapt practice environments and consultation approaches to better engage men in health conversations.
Reflect on their own role in men’s health and propose practical actions to improve engagement and service delivery in their local setting.