The pharmacy profession stands at a critical moment. Research has evolved from an optional activity into the cornerstone of demonstrating professional value, enhancing patient outcomes, and securing leadership in a environment where medicines, technology, and patient needs are transforming quickly. This perspective was central to a recent conversation with David Jones, professor of pharmaceutical and biomaterial engineering at Queen’s University Belfast and the 2025 recipient of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Hanbury medal. His career exemplifies how research in pharmacy translates scientific discovery into tangible patient benefits, spanning biomaterials, drug delivery systems, and applied pharmaceutical science.
Jones’ professional journey highlights a broader transformation in how pharmacy approaches research. His path was not predetermined but shaped by mentorship, perseverance, and a commitment to solving real problems. After losing his father during his pharmacy degree, he found direction through an academic advisor who demonstrated that research was not reserved for a select group. His undergraduate honors project opened doors he had not previously considered, leading to a lifelong dedication to applying science to patient needs. This challenges the persistent assumption that research belongs only to academics. Across the UK, professional bodies and surveys increasingly emphasize that research should be integrated throughout pharmacy careers—not limited to specialized roles.
Research Becomes a Pharmacy Career Essential
Data from NHS England’s survey of pharmacy professionals reinforces this shift, showing that research accessibility should begin at entry-level positions. The Royal College of Pharmacy has also stressed that all pharmacists must engage with, support, and lead research initiatives. The objective extends beyond producing academic studies; it aims to cultivate a profession capable of seamlessly moving between clinical practice, evidence-based decision-making, and continuous improvement.
Jones illustrated this principle through the development of a bio-adhesive stoma sealant designed for patients with compromised skin exposed to acidic stoma output. The project began with antimicrobial research, formulation science, and bio-adhesion studies before culminating in a commercially viable product. As he noted, this work completed a full cycle—from laboratory research to direct patient benefit. The effort was not merely about securing publications or grants but about addressing daily clinical challenges, reducing harm, and expanding treatment possibilities.
Research in pharmacy transcends academic and university settings. Jones emphasized that meaningful contributions can emerge from hospital pharmacies, community pharmacies, general practice, or pharmaceutical science departments. The priority is creating impact, not simply generating data. This aligns with the UK’s expanding pharmacy research agenda, which identifies opportunities across sectors, including primary care. The profession’s future hinges on pharmacists who can effectively bridge clinical practice, evidence generation, and service improvement.
Cultural Barriers Slow Down Research Adoption
Significant obstacles remain, however. Jones identified cultural resistance as the primary barrier—not a lack of technical skills or technological resources, but the absence of a mindset that prioritizes research. Many pharmacists face systemic challenges, including insufficient protected time, minimal organizational support, and funding shortages. His solution begins with supporting curiosity. Pharmacists should identify clinicians or colleagues eager to solve specific problems and build research efforts from those inquiries. NHS England’s findings confirm that protected time, mentorship, and awareness of research opportunities are essential for sustaining engagement. Without these supports, interest often dissipates before meaningful progress can occur.
Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges for the profession. Jones views AI as the area with the greatest potential for pharmacy, particularly in drug discovery, formulation development, and manufacturing processes. The European Medicines Agency has already acknowledged AI’s role throughout the medicines lifecycle, from clinical trials to precision medicine applications. However, Jones cautioned against overestimating the technology’s capabilities. Pharmacists do not need to become AI specialists but must learn to ask the right questions, recognize gaps in data, and assess whether AI-generated outputs are practically applicable. His analogy was straightforward: they do not need to understand the mechanics of a drill but must know which tool is best suited for the task.
AI and Emerging Science Reshape Pharmacy’s Future
The profession’s next phase will require research that balances scientific ambition with practical application. Emerging fields such as biologics, pharmacogenomics, precision medicine, and advanced therapies will define the future, but the fundamental challenge remains unchanged: connecting innovative science with real-world services, clinical decisions, and patient care. The timing is particularly urgent. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s transition to the Royal College of Pharmacy in April 2026 signals a broader shift in how the profession positions itself, and research will be key in shaping that identity.
Jones, who has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (JPP) since 1999, described how the journal, established in 1870, serves as a bridge between academic research and practical implementation. The JPP publishes studies across drug delivery, pharmacogenomics, and clinical pharmacy, ensuring innovations in biomaterials, such as his stoma sealant work, reach both researchers and practitioners.
Jones highlighted the JPP’s special issue marking his 25th anniversary as editor-in-chief as a demonstration of the journal’s adaptability. The issue included contributions from pharmacists working in industry, academia, and primary care, illustrating the profession’s expanding scope. One study examined how AI could optimize medication adherence in elderly patients, while another explored the use of 3D-printed drug formulations in settings with limited resources. These contributions demonstrate that pharmacy research is not confined to high-tech laboratories. Even in resource-constrained environments, pharmacists can design studies addressing local needs, whether through formulation adjustments, patient education interventions, or data-driven service enhancements.
The new charter shows pharmacists’ responsibility in shaping healthcare policy, a role that demands evidence-based advocacy. The report also emphasized the need for standardized training in research methods, from study design to data interpretation, to ensure pharmacists can contribute effectively to these areas.