The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Historically, women have always had a substantial role to play in pharmacy, however, when the Royal Pharmaceutical Society was founded in Great Britain on 15th April 1841 women had to fight for recognition in the profession, a battle that would take almost 40yrs. Included in the first compulsory register, 223 eligible women were listed as established pharmacists. Although Women were banned from becoming full members, they could own their own business and also sit the Society’s exam.
Women were eventually able to become full members of the Society in 1879 when Isabella Clarke and Rose Minshull who were already Pharmaceutical Chemists were elected Society members. These were the first women to be accepted and paved the way in 1918 for Margaret Buchanan to become the first female member of Council and then in 1947, Mrs Jean Irvine was elected as the Society’s first female president.
Mrs Jean Irvine
National Pharmacy Boards
On England, Wales, and Scotland pharmacy boards women are now well represented and have a total of 19 Women and 16 Men directing the works of the RPS and championing the role of pharmacy in healthcare, however, we still have some way to go.
As quoted on The Royal Pharmaceutical Society website,
The majority of pharmacists working today are women, and they are represented on the National Pharmacy Boards of England, Scotland, and Wales. However, there is still a gender pay gap and they are underrepresented in senior roles in the profession, particularly women from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.
This blog is taken from a fascinating article on The Royal Pharmaceutical Society web History page. Read more here