The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
The principal objectives of the charity continue to be the advancement of education, training and research in paediatric and neonatal pharmacy and the provision of information and professional advice relating to the safe and effective use of medicines in children and young people for the benefit of healthcare professionals, patients and the wider public.
In terms of activities, NPPG works pro-actively with key stakeholders and other professional bodies to influence national policy decision making and national clinical leadership to deliver these objectives.
Public Benefit
The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's objectives, planning activities and assessing performance during the year.
The trustees consider that the charity's activities continue to deliver significant public benefit through improved medicines optimisation, enhanced medicines safety, professional education, workforce development and the advancement of evidence-based practice across paediatric and neonatal healthcare services. The charity's work ultimately contributes to improving the quality and safety of medicines use for children and young people throughout the United Kingdom.
National Leadership and Policy Influence
NPPG continued to provide national leadership and advocacy for paediatric and neonatal pharmacy throughout 2025. The charity maintained active engagement with key national organisations including the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's team, The Royal College of Pharmacy (previously the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, MHRA, NICE and other professional and regulatory stakeholders.
The charity represented paediatric pharmacy interests through contributions to national consultations, medicines policy development and workforce discussions. NPPG continued to advocate for improved access to medicines for children, enhanced medicines safety, workforce sustainability and recognition of the contribution of pharmacists to children's healthcare. Representation was maintained on key national boards and professional groups, including BNFC Publications, UK pharmacy leadership initiatives and national research programmes.
NPPG has close links with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and in particular the joint RCPCH / NPPG Medicines Committee.
The Medicines Committee has representation from both NPPG and RCPCH, with the committee chair rotating between an elected committee member from NPPG and RCPCH. In addition there is representation from other key groups such as BNFC, MHRA, ABPI, Royal College of Nursing and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Meetings take place three times a year.
Main areas of the Medicines Committee work include influencing policy; responding to consultation documents pertinent to children's medicines; providing advice and support for external agencies with regards to medicines use and development in children; and providing advice and support for education, training and research to ensure safe prescribing of medicines.
The Medicines Committee provides: –
support for the development of BNFC
assistance for development of the Medicines for Children resource
input into the governance and management of QI Central
support for NIHR Clinical Research Network: Children Speciality
Medicines Safety and Quality Improvement
Medicines safety remained a major strategic priority throughout 2025. NPPG continued to lead national programmes focused on improving the safety, consistency and quality of medicines use in children and young people.
Significant progress was made in the standardisation of infusion concentrations and associated governance arrangements, including establishment of the Standard Infusion Review Board for Children. NPPG also supported national efforts relating to unlicensed medicines, standardised dispensing labels, prescribing systems, child-friendly formulations and administration devices.
The charity worked collaboratively with NHS England, MHRA, industry partners and professional organisations to address risks associated with paediatric medicines use and to promote safer prescribing and administration practices. Multiple position statements and professional guidance documents were published, reviewed or updated during the year to support evidence-based clinical practice.
Education, Training and Workforce Development
Supporting professional development remained a core charitable activity. During 2025, NPPG delivered a broad programme of educational activities including conferences, webinars, study days and specialist interest group educational events.
The’ Bitesize Learning’ webinar programme continued to provide regular, accessible education for members, while ‘Specialist Interest Groups’ delivered educational sessions focused on particular clinical specialties and practice areas. Starting Out in Children's Medicines Optimisation programmes and other educational initiatives provided training opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working across paediatric healthcare settings.
Work also commenced on new e-learning resources covering areas including neonatology, medicines reconciliation and parenteral nutrition. In addition, NPPG began developing further support for pharmacists progressing towards advanced practice and consultant-level credentialling.
Information Services and Professional Support
The Information Officer service continued to play an important role in supporting the profession by coordinating responses to national consultations, undertaking evidence reviews, supporting horizon-scanning activities and providing specialist medicines information.
The service reviewed and coordinated responses to consultations from organisations including NICE and NHS England, supported national medicines shortage work, contributed to formulary assessment processes and provided professional advice through the NPPG message board and other communication channels.
This work ensured that members had access to current evidence, professional guidance and opportunities to influence national policy and practice.
Digital Services, Communications and Membership
NPPG continued to invest in digital infrastructure and member services during the year. Further development of the charity's website improved access to educational resources, guidance documents and member benefits.
The online membership platform continued to streamline membership administration and improve the user experience. Educational recordings, learning resources and SIG materials were made available through the member area to support flexible access to professional development.
Membership reached its highest recorded level during 2025 (over 600 members), reflecting the value of the services and support provided by the charity and the growing engagement of the paediatric and neonatal pharmacy community.
Specialist Interest Groups
NPPG's Specialist Interest Groups remained highly active and continued to make substantial contributions across a wide range of clinical specialties.
Groups representing oncology, paediatric critical care, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, cardiology, neonatology, district general hospitals, pharmacy technicians and other specialist areas delivered educational events, developed guidance, contributed to national consultations and supported professional networking.
Many groups were involved in national workforce initiatives, development of medicines information resources, Medicines for Children leaflets, research projects, formulary assessment activities and collaborative work with NHS England, professional bodies and patient organisations. These activities strengthen professional practice and provide specialist expertise that benefits healthcare professionals and children throughout the UK.
Strategic Partnerships
NPPG continued to work closely with a broad range of partner organisations in support of its charitable objectives.
The charity maintained its longstanding involvement in the British National Formulary for Children (BNFC), ensuring continued specialist pharmacy input into this essential national resource. NPPG also continued its strategic partnership with Medicines for Children, supporting the development, review and dissemination of trusted medicines information for children, young people and their families.
Collaboration with organisations including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, NHS England, Medusa, professional societies and patient groups enabled NPPG to maximise its influence and deliver programmes that support medicines safety, education and professional development across paediatric healthcare.
2025 Financial Performance
| £ |
Total income | 176,725 |
Total expenditure | 311,374 |
Net gains on investments | 54,213 |
Surplus/(deficit) for the year | (80,436) |
Funds brought forward | 782,027 |
Funds carried forward | 701,591 |
The trustees recognise that expenditure currently exceeds annual income and consider the planned use of reserves and investment income to support the charity's activities and strategic priorities to be appropriate. The trustees will continue to monitor the financial position closely and intend to reduce the gap between income and expenditure through the identification of new income opportunities and implementation of operational efficiencies.
Income is derived from member subscriptions, educational activities and corporate partnerships. All corporate partnerships are managed in accordance with the charity's policy on working with industry, ensuring that appropriate governance arrangements are in place and that the charity's independence and charitable objectives are maintained.
The trustees continued to monitor the charity's finances carefully throughout the year, ensuring that resources were deployed in support of the charity's objectives whilst maintaining appropriate financial resilience.
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted reserves sufficient to provide financial stability and support ongoing activities. The trustees review reserve levels regularly and consider them in the context of future commitments, operational requirements and strategic opportunities.
Under the policy it is the aim of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately six months unrestricted expenditure which would be in the region of £155,000 at 31 December 2025. This provides sufficient funds to cover management, administration and support costs and allows the charity to react to changes in funding in a constructive manner. Currently unrestricted funds, which are also total funds, are £701,591. A total of £627,677 is held as investments which provide an income for the Charity leaving £217,661 as available reserves. The Trustees are aware of the position. They are investigating increasing expenditure in activities which support the objects of the Charity as outlined in the plans for future periods.
The trustees continue to invest a proportion of the charity's reserves in accordance with the charity's investment policy, with the objective of maintaining capital value and generating income to support charitable activities.
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish.
The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of the charity and to the reserves policy, have placed a proportion of capital into investments with a company "Investec" who specialises in helping charities to invest their capital in a relatively safe and low risk manner. The company will manage the portfolio on behalf of NPPG in accordance with the charity's investment policy to enhance future income from capital.
The remaining capital remains within interest bearing current accounts.
Risk Management
The Board has continued to review the principal risks facing the charity and maintains a risk register that is regularly reviewed and updated. Appropriate systems and controls have been established to mitigate identified risks and to support effective governance, financial oversight and delivery of the charity's objectives.
Events since the Year End
Nothing of significance.
Funds
The funds held by the charity are detailed in Note 18 to the financial statements.
The trustees intend to continue advancing education, training, research and professional practice in paediatric and neonatal pharmacy through a programme of national leadership, professional support and collaborative working.
Key priorities for the coming period include:
Ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the charity through diversification of income streams, development of new funding opportunities and delivery of operational efficiencies.
Continuing leadership of national medicines safety and medicines optimisation initiatives.
Supporting implementation of standardisation programmes for medicines use in children.
Expanding educational opportunities through conferences, webinars and digital learning resources.
Further development of credentialling, advanced practice and consultant pharmacist support programmes.
Continuing development and review of NPPG position statements, guidance documents and workforce standards.
Supporting Medicines for Children and other strategic partnerships to improve access to high-quality medicines information.
Strengthening workforce development initiatives across all care settings.
Supporting research, innovation and quality improvement activities relevant to paediatric and neonatal pharmacy.
Expanding engagement with pharmacy technicians, district general hospitals and specialist professional networks.
Continuing to influence national policy and advocate for the safe and effective use of medicines in children and young people.
The trustees remain committed to ensuring that NPPG continues to be the leading professional organisation for paediatric and neonatal pharmacy and a significant contributor to improving medicines use and medicines safety for children and young people.
Governing Document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 18 December 2002 and registered as a charity since 22 January 2007. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
As a registered charity, the company is non-profit making. The directors and trustees are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the charity. The company has been incorporated without share capital and is limited by guarantee to a maximum of £1 by each of its members.
Appointment of Trustees
Directors/trustees are appointed from the NPPG membership in accordance with the governing documents. The Board has the power to co-opt individuals who support the charitable objectives of the organisation and can contribute specialist expertise, experience and leadership.
Trustee Induction
New directors receive information regarding the charity's objectives, governance arrangements, organisational structure and operating procedures. Trustees are also provided with information regarding their statutory duties and responsibilities under charity and company law.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The Board continues to maintain an appropriate balance of professional expertise and leadership to support delivery of the charity's objectives. The results of the 2025 committee elections strengthened representation from across paediatric and neonatal pharmacy practice and support succession planning for future leadership roles within the organisation.
Trustee Remuneration and Conflicts of Interest
The charity maintains a register of interests and procedures for managing actual and potential conflicts of interest. During the year, one trustee received remuneration for services provided to the charity in a professional capacity separate from their duties as a trustee. Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to manage the conflict of interest, and details of the remuneration are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
Organisational Structure
NPPG is managed by its Board and Executive Committee, supported by elected committee, Special Interest Groups, regional networks and specialist officers. The Executive Committee & full elected committees meet regularly throughout the year to monitor progress against strategic objectives, review financial performance, oversee governance matters and direct future activity.
The charity continues to operate through a collaborative model which draws upon the expertise of volunteers from across paediatric and neonatal pharmacy practice. This approach enables NPPG to undertake national projects, influence policy development and provide education and professional support to members whilst maintaining a lean operational structure.
The NPPG Articles of Association and Terms of Reference are here Committee and NPPG Documents - NPPG.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of NPPG Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of NPPG Limited (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
NPPG Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Boundary House, Boston Road, Hanwell, London, W7 2QE.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation listed investments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Where a subscription purchases a right to receive services or benefits over a specific period, the income is deferred and recognised systematically over the duration of the membership period.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
Entities in which the charity has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Four trustees were reimbursed £564 (2024: £2,086) for travel costs incurred during the year.
The Charity has a contract with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) relating to services provided to NPPG by Trustee Mr S Tomlin. Mr Tomlin is seconded by the hospital and acts as professional lead for the Charity. A total of £30,497 was paid to GOSH during the year relating to work undertaken by Mr Tomlin.
Other than the amounts disclosed above, none of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
RCPCH Publications Limited, which is an associate of NPPG, gifted NPPG £101,704 (2024: £89,833) for the year to 31 December 2025
The charity holds a 50% interest in the ordinary share capital of RCPCH Publications Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (No 03670119). The primary activity of the company is the publication of the British National Formulary for Children (BNFC).
The company operates via a joint venture agreement dated 13 April 2005 with two partner organisations: the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and BMJ Publishing Group Limited. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society manages the day-to-day operational management of the BNFC, with profits shared between the three parties. Strategic direction is agreed jointly by all parties. Distribution to UK health professionals is supported via a medium-term supply agreement with the National Institute for Health and Care Nice (NICE).
Details of the charity's joint ventures at 31 December 2025 are as follows:
The investment is stated at cost less impairment.