Pharmacy Milestones in the Philippines

Milestones in Pharmacy - Philippines

• Learning objective is to understand the history, evolution, and milestones of pharmacy worldwide, including the Philippines.

Before 1521

• Health remedies were administered similarly to underdeveloped countries before the Spanish arrival in 1521.
• Cures were sought through sacrificial offerings, incantations, herbs, and animal parts with varying success.

Spanish Regime

• The Spaniards recognized three native groups working with the sick.
• The groups were mediquillos (small medics), curanderos (curers), and herbolarios (herb curers).
• Few Spanish army and navy physicians and pharmacists could tend to the natives.
• European physicians were assigned to the Cabezeras of provinces.
• Mediquillos and curanderos served the sick in towns and barrios as "physician-pharmacists".
• Unqualified individuals could open botiquines, dispensing simple medicine without compounding.
• The privilege to dispense medicine was commonly abused, but there were not personnel to provide adequate health care to all.
• Before 1871, the practice of pharmacy was done by foreign pharmacists from Spain and Germany.
• Foreign pharmacists settled in the country, and set up their own drugstores.
• No Filipino had formal pharmacy education abroad before this time.
• Some Filipinos gained pharmaceutical knowledge through drugstore experience under foreign pharmacists.
• The government granted licenses to applicants as Farmaceutico de segunda clase after training and examination.

1830

• Dr. Lorenzo Negrao, a Spanish citizen, founded Dr. Negrao's Pharmacy in Escolta, Manila.
• The opening of the pharmacy marked the beginning of formal pharmacy practice in the Philippines.

Early Drugstores

• Early drugstores included:
  • Botica Boie
  • Botica Zobel
  • Botica Antiqua de Ramirez.

Drugstores in the Later 19th Century

• The following drugstores opened:
  • Botica de Binondo
  • Botica Ampuero
  • Botica de San Fernando
  • Botica de Quiapo y Arevalo
  • Botica de Rama y Perez
  • Botica de Leon
  • Botica Alandy in Tayabas

1871

• The University of Santo Tomas began offering Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Licentiate in Pharmacy.
• Don Leon Ma. Guerrero was the first Filipino to study pharmacy.
• Guerrero was in the first graduating class and one of six graduates; five of the graduates in the class were Spanish.

1879

• The University of Santo Tomas opened "Escuela de Practicantes de Medicina y Farmacia" in 1879
• The course consisted of four semesters and a general examination.
• Three semesters of drugstore practice were required for the "Practitioner in Pharmacy" diploma.

Spanish Regime Continued

• Practicantes, mediquillos, and herbolarios were not allowed to practice where Escuela de Practicantes de Medicina y Farmacia were established
• After 1871, foreign pharmacists practicing in the Philippines had to pass an exam from the University of Santo Tomas and follow its rules.
• Two pharmacist groups applied for admission which included Spain- "peninsularis" and Germany which controlled medicine and chemical sales, plus lab equipment made in Hamburg
• Many Germans were already in practice due to the Governor-General of the Philippines giving special permission before implementing new rules.
• The Governor General gained the right to admit pharmacy graduates from other countries on 10 October 1879.
• Pharmacy graduates had to present credentials and six years of practice or pass an examination.
• Permits to practice were only temporary.

Contribution of Catholic MIssionaries

• Dominicans were a part of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty (College) of Pharmacy.
• Franciscans worked with Hospital de San Juan De Dios and Hospital de San Lazaro.
• Fr. Fernando Sta. Maria, O.P., studied plants for medical use and authored Medicinas Caseras.
• Fr. Manuel Blanco, O.S.A., authored Flora de Filipinas.
• Fr Blas de la Madre de Dios, a Franciscan, first created a written record of findings on plants

1899

• Colegio Medico-Farmaceutico de Filipinas Incorporada (CMFFI) was established 8 June 1899.
• Don Mariano Viscencio del Rosario and Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera led the pharmacists and physicians' group.

1901

• Dr. Leon Maria Guerrero, the first registered pharmacist and Father of Philippine Pharmacy, was elected President of CMFFI.

1903

• Act No. 597, regulating pharmacy practice in the Philippine Islands, enacted.

1903

• Liceo de Manila organized a review class.
• The success of the review led to the establishment of Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila in 1904.

1910

• Revista Filipina de Medicina y Farmacia*, the official publication of Colegio Medico-Farmaceutico de Filipinas Inc., published first issue.

1917

• Chapter 30 of Act No. 2711, Revised Administrative Code, known as Pharmacy Law, went into effect 10 March 1917.

1920

• Philippine Pharmacists Association, PPhA, was founded 29 August 1920.
• Rafael E. Carrion was the first PPhA President.

1928

• Journal of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Association was published in September 1928.

1931

• Celebrated the first Pharmacy Week, October 11-17.

1934

• Farmacia Oro was established, becoming one of the country's oldest skin and hair product providers.

1945

• Atty. Filemon Tanchoco and Purificacion Gallego-Tanchoco reopened the school with a new wing, the College of Liberal Arts using bamboo and pine from crates for furniture.
• The school was renamed Manila College of Pharmacy and Liberal Arts with Dr. Alfredo Guerrero as dean.

1945

• Eskinol Medicated Facial Lotion launched into the market.

1945

• Jose Y. Campos and Mariano K. Tan founded United Drug Co. Inc. (now Unilab).

1945

• Mariano Que founded Mercury Drug, naming the Bambang store after the Roman God and bearer of the caduceus.

1945

• On December 16, PPhA decided on re-organization after World War II led by the new Board to form provincial and city chapters.
• Manila Pharmaceutical Society recognized as the Association's first chapter.
• Today, the PPhA has 83 provincial and city chapters.

1950

• The Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) was founded on 30 September 1950.

1950

• Tomas Dy-Makao opened Southern Drug, a Chinese herbal pharmacy, in Naga in 1937.
• Southern Drug offered Western medicine.
• It expanded to the rest of Bicol

1950

• President Elpidio R. Quirino declared the second week of December every year as national pharmacy week.
• Proclamation No. 219 s.1950 was signed 11 November 1950.

1953

• The Philippine National Pharmacy Hymn with lyrics by Ernesto Epistola and music by Angel Peña composed
• The piece won first prize at PPhA's national hymn composition contest.

1957

• The PPhA became a member of the Federacion Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP), also known as the International Pharmaceutical Federation.

1961

• Professor Jose P. B. Gallardo suggested the formation of a Private Hospital Pharmacists Association.
• Gallardo proposed merging with the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association, (GHPA) to form a national hospital pharmacists similar to the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.

1962

• The Private Hospital Pharmacists Association (PHPA) was established initiated by Ms. Mariya M. Paguyo of the Far Eastern University Hospital as first President
• The PHPA later merged with GHPA to form The Philippine Society of Hospital Pharmacists (PSHP).

1963

• Republic Act No. 3720, the "Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act," was passed into law 22 June 1963.
• Created the Bureau of Food and Drug to carry out RA 3720.

1964

• The First General Assembly of the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) was commenced in Manila, Philippines, on 22-23 April 1964 under the leadership of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Association.
• Professor Jose P. B. Gallardo of the Philippines served as the first President of FAPA.

1969

• Republic Act No. 5921, the Pharmacy Act, was signed into law 21 June 1969.
• The Pharmacy Act was enacted to:
  • Standardize pharmaceutical education
  • Regulate examination for registration of pharmacy schools
  • Supervise, control, and regulate the practice of pharmacy in the Philippines.

1972

• Republic Act No. 6425, the "Dangerous Drugs Act" went into effect 30 March 1972.
• The drug problem was in its early stages, with 20,000 drug users and marijuana as the top choice among users in the Philippines.

1973

• Professional Regulation Commission created under Presidential Decree N. 223 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

1975

• The Philippine Pharmaceutical Association accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission as the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) specifically for pharmacists.

1975

• The Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy was established.

1978

• Presidential Decree No. 1363 amended the Pharmacy Act.
• The decree ensured equal opportunity for FIlipinos regarding pharmacy profession, and in the sale of medicines.

1986

• The Philippine Association of Pharmacists in the Pharmaceutical Industry, PAPPI, was established.

1988

• Republic Act No. 6675, Generics Acts of 1988, enacted 13 September 1988.

1993

• The Community Pharmacists Association of the Philippines was founded 10 December 1993.
• CPAP became the PPhA's fifth official affiliate during Dr. Lourdes T. Echauz's administration.

1994

• The PPhA was the first recipient of the Professional Regulation Commission's Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization of the year.

1995

• Republic Act No. 7876, "The Senior Citizens Center Act of the Philippines," approved 14 February 1995.

1996

• Republic Act No. 8203, "Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs," approved 5 September 1996.
• The Act aims to protect human and animal health through provision against counterfeit drugs.

2000

• Republic Act No. 8981, PRC Modernization Act, enacted 5 December 2000.

2001

• The Philippine Pharmacists Association Building was built under the leadership of Dr. Lourdes T. Echauz.
• The building was inaugurated on 25 January 2001.

2002

• Republic Act No. 9165, "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," enacted 23 January 2002.

2004

• The Institutional Pharmacists Association of the Philippines, IPAP, established.

2007

• The Generics Pharmacy opened its first franchise in Pasay.

2008

• Philippine Pharmaceutical Association changed to Philippine Pharmacists Association.
• The renaming emphasized the association is an organization of pharmacists across the country.
• Republic Act No. 9502, "Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008," enacted 6 June 2008.

2009

• Southwestern University College of Pharmacy, under the leadership of Dean Marilou Basa, organized the first White Coat Ceremony in the Philippines.
• The Republic Act No. 9711, “Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,” was enacted 18 August 2009.

2010

• Young Pharmacists Group, YPG, Philippines established.

2011

• During the time of Hon. Jennifer M. Flores as Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy.
• The First Stakeholders Meeting was organized in Manila and was attended by chain drugstore presidents/vice presidents/leaders, Philippine Pharmacists Association and affiliate organizations, and other pharmacy associations.
• Stakeholders Meetings took place in Cebu and Davao.
• The Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy reminded the stakeholder of the roles of the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy.

2015

• The Philippine Pharmacists Association received the 2015 PRC Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization award at Manila Hotel on 18 June 2015.

2016

• Republic Act No.10912, Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, became law 21 July 2016.
• The Act mandates/strengthens the Continuing Professional Development Program for all regulated professions at the Professional Regulation Commission.

2016

• Republic Act No. 10918, Philippine Pharmacy Act, lapsed into law 21 July 2016.
• The Act regulates and modernizes the practice of Pharmacy in the Philippines.

2016-2018

• The Philippine Pharmacists Association collaborated with ABS-CBN/DZMM to conduct medical missions across the Philippines.

2017

• An Alignment Meeting including the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Philippine Pharmacists Association took place on 3 August.

2019

• The Philippine Pharmacists Association received the Silver Anvil Award for Public Relations Programs on a Sustained Basis Public Health.
• The Public Relations Society of the Philippines presented the award at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City 30 January 2019.

2019

• The PPhA Family Fiesta Run in Manila area was held at Camp Aguinaldo on 1 September.

2019

• Philippine Pharmacists Association Centennial Bowling Tournament hosted by the Community Pharmacists Association of the Philippines.
• The Overall Chairman was Jennifer M. Flores.
• 3 December 2019, the Tournament was held Paeng's Eastwood Bowl and Billiard Room, Affiliate organizations and Luzon participated in the PPhA chapter tournament.

2019

• The Philippine Pharmacists Association accredited on 5 November as the Integrated Association of Pharmacists.

2020

• This was the centennial year for the Philippine Pharmacists Association

2021

• Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc (PPhA) accredited the training provider to conduct the "Immunizing Pharmacist Certification Program

2021

• 284 certified immunizing pharmacists listed
• 400 personnel currently undergoing training
• As of 17 August

Explore key milestones in pharmacy's evolution worldwide, with a focus on the Philippines. Learn about health remedies before 1521 and the roles of mediquillos, curanderos, and herbolarios during the Spanish regime. Discover the origins of pharmacy practice in the Philippines.