Pharmacy Category

Pharmacy Category

75^th Anniversary Celebration

November 18, 2005

The Hilton

Gaithersburg, MD

Keynote Presentation: “Public Health Service Pharmacy, the First 75 Years”

CAPT Robert Pittman

The Public Health Service is one of the oldest service agencies of the United States . For much of the history of the PHS, pharmacists were trained through apprenticeships. It was not until 1897 that graduation from a pharmacy program became a requirement for appointment. Prior to 1918, pharmacy services in PHS hospitals were provided through contract services or by Federal civilian employees. In 1918, a reserve corps composed of pharmacists, dentists and engineers were commissioned to serve with physicians in the PHS.

While the authority existed to commission pharmacists in the reserve corps, it was not until 1930 that pharmacists were actually commissioned. In 1930, the Parker Act allowed pharmacists to be appointed into the regular corps of the PHS Commissioned Corps, with promotions available up to the grade corresponding to that of Lieutenant.

At that time, ten civil service pharmacists were commissioned to the grade of Assistant Pharmacist (equivalent to Lieutenant). The first two PHS pharmacist commissions occurred on July 23, 1930 and the other eight pharmacists were commissioned on September 5, 1930 .

Throughout the history of the Pharmacy Category, twelve pharmacists have served as Pharmacy Liasion Officer, Chief Pharmacist Officer, or Pharmacy Flag Officers.

In 2005, we are proud to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the Pharmacy Category. Currently, there are over 900 active duty Corps pharmacists and many civilian pharmacists.

Historical Document: Pharmacy Commissioned Corps

Reserve Entrance Exam, circa 1965

(click for document)

Past and Present

Pharmacy Liaison, Chief Pharmacist and

Flag Officers

(click on name for biography)

CAPT George Archambault,

1^st Pharmacy Liaison Officer

RADM Edgar Duncan, 1^st RADM

RADM Allen Brands, 2^nd RADM

RADM Jerome Halperin, 3^rd RADM