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.
3 comments
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Too brief to be informative,
Interesting that assistants were monetary members at the beginning.
I agree Fay it’s an inadequate epitaph to the old Society. No mention of the Medicines Act or move to clinical pharmacy. Is this all the Royal college members will be told?
Monetary was honorary !