September 2002 issue Pharmacy Today magazine

HALF CENTURY

The New Zealand Healthcare Pharmacists' Association (NZHPA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Founded in 1952 as The New Zealand Hospital Pharmacists' Association, the first meeting attracted 32 hospital pharmacists, led by Josias Peel.

Josais Peel wrote to all hospital pharmacies to say the aim of this first meeting was to improve the pharmaceutical services in hospitals, says NZHPA archivist Euan Galloway.

The letter concluded "this meeting could lead to big things and I would strongly urge that every effort be made to attend."

"The association has advocated for and supported hospital pharmacy practice for the past 50 years. The foundations laid by the pioneers have been steadily built upon," says Euan Galloway.

Celebrations

Last month's first combined conference of the NZHPA and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia marked the 50th jubilee.

The jubilee was celebrated in style at a gala dinner at Christchurch's Wigram Air Base following a full day of conference programme.

Long-time NZHPA member, Ray Laurie was given the honour of cutting the jubilee cake. He has been an association member for 47 years and spent many years working as a pharmacy manager in Auckland during his career.

Surviving founding members - John Munro, Harry Jones, Zena Sawers, Don Innes and Geraldine Sims were sent cards to mark the anniversary.

Back to welcome page

Back to news archives