Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum

The Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, located in East Smithfield, London, offers a fascinating dive into the history of British pharmacy. Founded in 1842, just a year after the creation of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the museum was established as an educational resource for aspiring pharmacists. The main goal was to collect a collection of “materia medica”, samples of drugs and ingredients, for the education of students. The building that houses the current museum was acquired by the society in 1976 and is located near the famous St Katharine Docks and Tower Bridge. The museum offers a vast collection of around 45,000 objects, covering various aspects of pharmacy history. These include traditional tools for the preparation and distribution of drugs, containers for storing medicines, and a range of branded drugs dating from the 18th century to the present day.One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum is the collection of English delftware jars from the 17th and 18th centuries, which were once a common sight behind the apothecary counters. These decorative and functional jars are just one of the many relics of the pharmaceutical past on display in the museum. Among other objects of great interest are bronze mortars, medical caricatures, and a photographic archive documenting the evolution of pharmacy.The museum not only preserves the history of pharmacy, but also celebrates the scientific advances that have improved the safety and efficacy of medical treatments. Thematic exhibitions, such as “Pharmacy in Evolution” and “The Pharmaceutical Past of Lambeth”, show how pharmaceutical practices have changed over time, adapting to new scientific discoveries and societal needs.A particularly interesting exhibition is dedicated to medical treatments developed over time. Here, visitors can discover how various medical conditions have been treated through the centuries, often with methods that now seem bizarre or ineffective. For example, among the curious remedies on display are bear fat, once used for baldness, and powdered human skull, prescribed for epilepsy.Another element of great interest is the history of pharmaceutical regulation, which began with the Pharmacy Act of 1852, establishing the first register of pharmaceutical chemists. This register, initially voluntary, became mandatory with the Pharmacy Act of 1868, which required those who wanted to dispense poisons to pass national exams and register with the society. This act marked an important step in the professionalization of pharmacy and in the protection of public health. Additionally, the museum has a research center and a library that houses rare and valuable texts related to the history of pharmacy. This resource is particularly useful for scholars and researchers looking to deepen their understanding of the subject.