The RPS today (March 19) told C+D that its director for England James Davies left the body “at the end of December in order to pursue a new career direction”.
“In the interim period, England activities have been under the direction of Elen Jones, director for Wales,” it said.
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And it added that the “RPS will shortly be recruiting for a new director for England and is committed to supporting devolved health policy across the three nations”.
“[Davies] provided excellent leadership to our England team, developing important advocacy and thought leadership work alongside our directors for Scotland and Wales,” the body said.
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Commenting on his move, Davies said that the role - which he held for two years - is “challenging but also very rewarding”.
“I had some great achievements in my time with the RPS, including the publication of the influential report on medicines shortages, providing evidence to the health and social care select committee...and working closely with the board and assembly in changing the organisation towards a royal college,” he added.
But he told C+D that he wanted a “change in...direction” and was returning to “the research elements of pharmacy that [he had] previously been involved with”.
“Vote no”
It comes as the RPS has faced criticism for its plan to register as a charity and gain royal college status – with a vote on the changes currently under way and closing on March 24.
Earlier this month, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) urged the body to “abandon its hastily convened ballot” and for pharmacists to vote ‘no’ if it is not called off.
Read more: ‘Resign immediately’: RPS royal college row heats up as vote looms
And past RPS president and current English board member Martin Astbury has launched a ‘Vote no’ campaign against the plans.
But the RPS hit back at the concerns and said that it was “disappointed by the position taken by the PDA”.
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It stressed that the proposals were “put forward following a democratic process during which elected members of [its] Assembly have reviewed, amended and unanimously approved” them.
Other supporters of the RPS’ plans have called for dissenting board member Astbury - who said he felt “pressured into compliance” and that he will resign if his “vote no campaign” fails - to “resign immediately”.