History
The early years
The story of the UK Renal Pharmacy Group (UKRPG) began in the early 1980s, when Dave Roberts was appointed to the newly established post of staff pharmacist (renal services) at Cardiff Royal Infirmary. Looking to connect with others working in similar roles, he wrote to chief pharmacists at hospitals with large renal units to find out if there was “anyone out there”. Only a handful replied, including colleagues in Birmingham and Taunton, and those early connections led to research collaborations and the first conversations about creating a professional network for renal pharmacists.
At the same time, Glenys Drew, Principal Pharmacist (Medicines Information) for the South West Region, had noticed that pharmacists from across Great Britain were regularly contacting her for advice on medicines in renal disease. Together with Dave Roberts, Dave Scott and Dave Tutcher, it became clear that there were more renal pharmacists working around the UK than first thought.
In 1984, the four colleagues placed a notice in the Pharmaceutical Journal inviting pharmacists with an interest in renal disease to a meeting in Bristol. They expected a small gathering but were amazed when more than 50 people attended. By the end of the meeting, the Renal Pharmacy Group had been formed, with a committee, a growing membership and a shared ambition to support renal pharmacy across the UK.
Initially, the group met twice a year in Birmingham and London, with early meetings covering topics including haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplantation, pharmacokinetics and the emerging use of erythropoietin (EPO) therapy. Corporate membership from pharmaceutical companies provided the financial support needed to establish the group during its first few years.
Developing specialist resources
One of the group’s earliest priorities was improving access to reliable prescribing information for patients with renal impairment. Under the leadership of Ray Bunn, members began collating practical guidance on drug dosing and patient counselling, resulting in the publication of the A–Z of Drug Use and Guide to Patient Counselling in Renally Impaired Adults in 1994. Nearly 1,000 copies were sold, with proceeds supporting the National Kidney Patients Association.
That work evolved into The Renal Drug Handbook, first published in 1999 under the editorship of Caroline Ashley, before becoming the internationally recognised resource it is today. The handbook is now complemented by the online Renal Drug Database, which continues to be governed and quality assured by the UK Renal Pharmacy Group.
The group also developed a range of educational resources, including the Beginner’s Guide to Renal Pharmacy, later expanded into Introduction to Renal Therapeutics, helping to support pharmacists new to renal practice.
Supporting the profession
As the profession developed, so did the UKRPG. The group launched its first residential conference in 1993, established its website in 2002 and continued to expand its educational resources, newsletters and networking opportunities for members.
Members of the UKRPG became increasingly involved in national initiatives, contributing to the Renal National Service Framework, NICE guidance, workforce planning, the development of the renal pharmacy curriculum and the Think Kidneys programme. The group also became a regular contributor to the Clinical Pharmacy Congress and continued to strengthen links with organisations across the UK kidney community.
In 2012, the committee introduced a new Executive Committee structure supported by specialist subgroups covering clinical practice, education and training, research and development, conference planning and national liaison. This created more opportunities for members to become involved in the work of the group and helped ensure the organisation could continue to respond to the changing needs of renal pharmacy.
Becoming part of the UK Kidney Association
Following a membership vote in 2020, the UKRPG became part of the UK Kidney Association in January 2021. The move provided closer links with the UK’s national professional body for kidney care while allowing the group to continue supporting renal pharmacists through education, collaboration, specialist resources and national representation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group adapted quickly by replacing its annual conference with a programme of virtual educational webinars and contributing to national COVID-19 guidance and updates to the Renal Drug Database.
Today, the UKRPG continues to support renal pharmacy professionals across the UK through education, research, specialist resources and collaboration, building on more than four decades of shared expertise and professional leadership.