A history of the Pharmacy Practice Foundation

A need for change

The pharmacy profession began to move in a new direction in the 1940s, as compounded medicines were increasingly replaced by ready-made ones. One significant step in this evolution, in 1960, was the initiation of a Pharmacy degree course at the University of Sydney.

By the 1970s it was evident that the pharmacist's traditional compounding-supply role would have to be substituted by more knowledge and understanding of correct patient use and more potent medications.
 
 
There was now greater emphasis on the area of pharmacy practice, in order to keep pace with pharmaceutical developments.

Pharmacy training was no longer considered adequate preparation to meet the increasing needs of the community. Pharmacists admitted:

• Training is not related to retail pharmacy at present.
• My degree course lacked practice content.
• If more practical aspects were introduced to the course the training would be more balanced.

Dedicated training related to retail pharmacy was going to be needed, along with a more practical approach to healthcare.

Establishing a foundation

In the mid-1970s the Pharmaceutical Society of New South Wales commenced discussions with the University of Sydney around the establishment of a Pharmacy Practice Foundation. The original twin purposes of the Foundation were to raise funds for a Chair in Pharmacy Practice, within the then School of Pharmacy, in order to satisfy the need for educating more patient-oriented pharmacy practitioners and to develop the practice of pharmacy to a professional level to meet the increasing needs of the community.

The creation of the Foundation in 1978 was tangible evidence that the profession was aware of expanding technologies and increased social pressures; and that there was beneficial interaction between industry and the University.

The early years

While the dedicated founding members of the Pharmacy Practice Foundation worked with great enthusiasm to cement the Foundation’s reputation, raise funds to establish the Chair in Pharmacy Practice, and support the Department of Pharmacy, progress was initially slow. Engaging pharmacists, industry and government to contribute financially to this endeavour was a difficult task.

At the same time, the cost of establishing a Chair was increasing, making the monetary goal of the Foundation constantly more difficult. The funds initially required for the Chair were $300,000, but in the years following the creation of the Foundation this cost, as with the general cost of living during the 1980s increased. The final amount required, was in excess of $1,500,000.

Despite this, the Foundation was not to be deterred from reaching its goal, and the commitment of its members slowly inspired others to join the membership and support this worthy cause. By building a base of committed and enthusiastic pharmacists in both rural and metropolitan areas, the Foundation continued to progress towards success.

By increasing its profile and demonstrating a commitment that would not be deterred, by the mid to late 1980s the Foundation succeeded in attracting real interest and support from within the pharmaceutical industry. Early support, which has continued to the current day, came from the Australian Pharmaceutical Industries. Sterling Pharmaceuticals (now GlaxoSmithKline) and Merck Sharp & Dohme were also significant early, and ongoing, supporters providing funds that were instrumental in helping the Foundation move towards its fundraising goal. Other industry organisation soon engaged with the Pharmacy Practice Foundation. The Foundation continues to be extremely aware of the generous an ongoing support of all its Sponsors.

In 1989, the New South Wales Government, fulfilling an election promise, provided very generous funding to the Foundation. These funds allowed the Foundation to reach its goal and proceed to the process of appointing a Chair in Pharmacy Practice.

A Chair in Pharmacy Practice

With the funds secured establish a chair in Pharmacy practice, the Foundation, in conjunction with the policies and procedures of the University of Sydney, proceeded to recruit a suitable candidate for this position.

In the early 1990s, the Foundation selected Professor S I (Charlie) Benrimoj to this important role. Professor Benrimoj’s energy and influence have had an enormous impact on the profession, not only in Australia but also internationally. His influence within the University of Sydney was instrumental in the transition of the Department of Pharmacy within the Faulty of Health Sciences, to an independent Faculty of Pharmacy in 2000.

Recent years

Once the Pharmacy Practice Foundation had realised its goals of engaging the pharmacy profession and establishing the Chair in Pharmacy Practice, it was in a strong position to continue its important work of providing support for the Faculty and the profession. The last 15 years have seen many significant developments successfully implemented by the Foundation.

In addition to the initial Chair, the Foundation and its sponsors have now established three other important academic positions:

• Pfizer Chair in Clinical Pharmacy
• Johnson and Johnson/Pharmacy Practice Foundation and Faculty of Pharmacy Chair in Pharmacy Management
• Sanofi-aventis Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy

During the early 1990s the Foundation established and provided initial funding for the Australian Pharmacy Research Centre. This Centre collected and consolidated data on pharmacy practice, which was able to be sued to statistically measure the value and benefit of the pharmacist intervention within the healthcare sector. This data was crucial in discussions and planning with government bodies and within the profession. The value and need of the work of the Centre was recognised as of sufficient importance that it is now a routine part of the research with support by the Foundation, and the need for a separate Centre to undertake this activity is no longer required.

Following the appointment in 1993 of a consultant manager to provide leadership in aspects of fundraising for the Foundation, the profile of the organisation continued to grow, through the introduction of Industry Lunches, the Infrastructure Tour Program and the annual Governors’ Dinner.

With the establishment of Foundation funded academic positions, there has also been a significant increase in the growth of the student enrolment and research output of the Faculty of Pharmacy. This increasing academic presence has also led to the development of retail pharmacy focussed learning activities by the Pharmacy Practice Foundation, such as the Retail Seminars, Business Undergraduate Mentor Pharmacy Program and the Business Skill Program.

Future plans

The Pharmacy Practice Foundation continues to focus on furthering the development of pharmacy as a profession which provides an important service within the healthcare sector. The Foundation has worked hard to achieve the goals of its 2005–2007 Strategic Plan and is currently developing a new set of goals and plans for coming years.