The inauguration of the Royal College of Pharmacy will be a historic moment for the pharmacy sector in Great Britain. Agreed by member vote in March 2024, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is due to become a royal college on 15 April 2026.
Explore its history across the centuries by clicking the arrows:
1800s
1900s
2000s
Acknowledgement
With thanks to Catherine Walker, manager of the RPS Museum
References
1800s
17 Bloomsbury Square. Source: RPS Museum;
The Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions. Source: RPS Museum;
Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901), with her autograph. Source: Chroma Collection / Alamy Stock Photo;
Frances (Fanny) Elizabeth Potter. Source: RPS Museum;
Isabella Clarke and Rose Minshull. Source: RPS Museum;
The Pharmaceutical Journal 1841. Source: Wellcome Library.
1900s
17 Bloomsbury Square in colour. Source: RPS Museum;
The Poisons and Pharmacy Act. Source: Wellcome Collection;
Margaret Buchanan. Source: RPS Library / Shutterstock.com;
Senate House, London University. Source: wronaphoto.com / Alamy Stock Photo;
The Pharmacy and Poisons Act. Source: Legislation.gov.uk;
King George VI. Source: Hilary Morgan / Alamy Stock Photo;
Jean Kennedy Irvine. Source: RPS Museum;
Window advertisements for the NHS at Boots branches nationwide, June 1948. Source: Boots Archive;
Scottish Flag. Source: Royal Graphics / Shutterstock.com;
British National Formulary. Source: RPS Museum;
Queen Elizabeth II, 1952. Source: Classic Image / Alamy Stock Photo;
Degree, books and graduation hat. Source: Frannyanne / Alamy Stock Photo;
Lambeth High Street. Source: RPS Museum;
Queen Elizabeth II, 1988. Source: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo;
NHS and Community Care Act. Source: mentalhealthcarememories.co.uk;
Graduates at university graduation ceremony. Source: Brian A Jackson / Shutterstock.com.
2000s
Current RPS location, 66 East Smithfield. Source: Robert Evans / Alamy Stock Photo;
King Charles III. Source: Justin Ng / Alamy Stock Photo.
