Page 2 - Pharmacy History 03 Sept 1997

From the Editor
What of the future?
After 36 issues of Pharmacy History it’s time for a change of direction in bringing this journal to you.
We are looking at producing one issue per year, which will be available as a hard copy magazine or an online version to be distributed over the Internet.
Instead of one editor we are looking to set up an editorial committee to produce and peer review articles for publication.
The difficulty with producing a semi academic newsletter for an organisation such as the Australian Academy for
the History of Pharmacy is to try and provide a vehicle for interested persons to publish original works of research
or comment as well as to be a reference source for articles that have appeared in other publications which are of interest to Australian pharmacists and students.
The Australian Academy was formed
in 1996 with the objective of bringing together smaller state chapters of pharmacy history which had been in existence for a number of years. This alliance then allowed us to assume an international identity and become a full member of the International Society for the History of Pharmacy.
With the changes mooted above, we will need the support of all Academy members to bring to the pages of
the journal items of interest that will reflect the development and history of pharmacy in Australia.
As the editor I am very appreciative
of the enthusiastic support from a small group of our members who have supported me with original articles for publication and I give my thanks to them. I thank Ross Brown, the current president and Keith Smith and Radley West for their help also.
Who knows where the future will take us in pharmacy and it is so important that we all have an understanding of the past as a measure of our progress.
Geoff Miller, Editor
President’s column
‘If you don’t know your history you don’t know yourself’
John Hirst Australian Historian
Pharmacy undergraduate education
Lectures on pharmacy history have been given at various times to undergraduate pharmacy students in the past, but they have generally been unrelated to
core subjects. It is an aim of the Australian Academy of Pharmacy History to have pharmacy history included in the pharmacy undergraduate course of all Australian Universities with pharmacy schools. With now 17 pharmacy schools across our nation, can you help? You could be willing to undertake some preparation or presentation of pharmacy history for a pharmacy school in your region. We can help with preparing a talk or presentation.
Local pharmacy history
The research and recording of regional pharmacy history is also of fundamental importance. If you are interested in either local history or teaching pharmacy history at a pharmacy school please contact our National Secretary Geoff C Miller, 8 Leopold Street, Nedlands 6009 Western Australia. Tel (08) 0386 6078.
Future development of our Academy
Our Australian Academy of the History of Pharmacy was formed in 1996
with an important objective of bringing together the existing Australian State Chapters of Pharmacy History. This objective was readily achieved and members of State Chapters were absorbed into the newly formed National body, The Australian Academy of Pharmacy History. Since inception the Academy has been active in fostering interest, research, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of pharmacy history and pharmacy in history. We work towards collection and preservation of historic materials and our heritage.
Pharmacy History Australia
Since the first edition of our journal Pharmacy History Australia was issued on 1 January 1997, the Editorial workload has been very capably carried by our National Secretary Geoff Miller. Geoff would be pleased to involve others and create a small team to perform the editorial task. We are also looking at the method and frequency of publication, for while the layout and distribution is very well performed by members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s national office, the effort required continues to increase.
Administrative options
We are also addressing possible changes to our administrative structure, including separating the secretarial function from a treasurer’s role. We could appoint State delegates who could meet when PAC is held. We could develop a short national curriculum for teaching Pharmacy
History to pharmacy students and promote this to
all Pharmacy schools.
Pharmacy Australia Congress
This year the PAC - Pharmacy Australia Congress will be held in Sydney 16-18 October 2009. We will showcase pharmacy history at the Congress and I do hope to see you there.
Ross Brown, President
Editor’s note
Contributions from members are always welcome, especially family histories of pharmacists.
2 Pharmacy History Australia volume 5 no 36 FEBRUARY 2009