Get involved with Pharmacology Matters

Pharmacology Matters is the Society's free digital magazine, with articles written by our members in which they share their opinions and perspectives on matters related to pharmacology. Articles are selected, commissioned and edited by the Pharmacology Matters Editorial Board, which is made up of BPS members. Articles are published throughout the year.

Pharmacology Matters' audience is primarily comprised of Society members based in the UK, although it is also read by the wider UK scientific community and some international audiences. Readers span career stages but are mostly students or early in their careers. Pharmacology Matters is open to be read and shared by anyone.

Can I reproduce an article or an image from Pharmacology Matters?

In most cases, the Society owns the copyright to articles published in Pharmacology Matters and you will need written approval from the Society if you would like to reuse these articles. In some cases, the author owns the copyright to their article, and you would need to request approval from them directly.

Please contact us with any copyright requests or questions.

As a member of the Pharmacology Matters Editorial Board, you will:

• Develop your written and editorial skills
• Improve your pharmacology and Society networks by collaborating with editors and authors
• Help develop the magazine
• Have your say about the types of content and topics the magazine should publish about
• Write articles relating to your areas of interest
• Learn about the publishing process

The role of an editor involves:

• Helping to decide the content of each issue
• Commissioning and developing articles
• Writing articles
• Advocating for and promoting Pharmacology Matters
• Making recommendations for growth and development

We regularly recruit new members to the Editorial Board. Look out for opportunities on social media and our volunteer with us page. 

Through publishing an article in Pharmacology Matters, you will:

• Develop transferable skills including writing, editing and communicating complex ideas to different audiences
• Build your portfolio of work
• Enhance your profile in the pharmacology community
• Increase the visibility of the topic you have chosen to write about

If you have an idea for an article, you can email us with a brief pitch, which includes:

• A draft title
• A summary of what your article is about
• An outline of your article – headings and a sentence summary of each section
• The target audience
• The purpose of your article - what do you want the audience to think, feel or do after reading your piece?
• If you are an early career pharmacologist, look out for our annual writing competition. Read the 2019, 2020 and 2021 winning articles.

Please note:

• There are no author publication fees associated with Pharmacology Matters.
• Articles for Pharmacology Matters are generally considered long-form (800-1,100 words). We also welcome pitches for short-form articles (400-800 words) for our blog.

Author guidelines and pitch form

Pharmacology Matters was founded in 2008 as a printed magazine publishing three times per year. In 2018, the magazine transitioned to an online-only format and, in 2025, shifted to publishing articles throughout the year, rather than grouping them into issues.