Article

January 24: Friday Pharmacy Fun Fact

Do you know the first pharmacy school established in North America?

What was the first pharmacy school established in North America?

Answer: The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy!

Originally called the University of the Sciences, the school was founded in 1821 when 68 Philadelphia apothecaries wanted to improve scientific standards and train better apprentices and students. The next year, they incorporated the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and professional education in the field began. In 1921, the name was changed to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. The school also gained state authorization to grant master’s and doctoral degrees in addition to the baccalaureate degrees.

The school gained university status in 1997, and in 1998 it became officially known as University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

REFERENCE

A History of University of the Sciences. Usciences.edu/about/history/index.html. Accessed Jan 23, 2020.

This fun fact was submitted by Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh.

Stay tuned each week for our new series: the Friday Pharmacy Fun Fact! Impress your friends and colleagues with useful facts about the history of pharmacy, inventions created by pharmacists, and more. If you have a fun fact to contribute, email AAntrim@pharmacytimes.com, and it may be included!

Newsletter

Stay informed on drug updates, treatment guidelines, and pharmacy practice trends—subscribe to Pharmacy Times for weekly clinical insights.

Related Videos
Tired scared retiree man holding chest with anginal symptoms, pallor and diaphoresis at home. Suffering male with cardiac origin pain, prexcordial pressure, arrhythmia risk, urgent medical attention - Image credit: DimaBerlin | stock.adobe.com
5 experts in this video
Image credit: Sebastian Kaulitzki | stock.adobe.com
1 expert is featured in this series.
Magnified bone marrow biopsy showing plasma cells with irregular nuclei and multiple myeloma tumor cells infiltrating normal hematopoietic tissue
Health and nutrition: the role of glp-1 in diabetes management with apple and syringe - Image credit: Thanayut | stock.adobe.com