The Guyana Pharmacists’ Association, formerly the British Guiana Pharmaceutical Society, was formed in 1895 by a group of Englishmen who were known as Druggists at the time. The Society was at that time, largely a commercial organization or trading group, which had as its mission, to promote the business interests of its constituent members. This lasted until 1906, when two stalwarts, Mr. Curtis and William Fisher joined the Society and changed its mission to one that was more broad-based and professional, with the following aims and objectives which exist up until today:
To promote and maintain a better standard of pharmacy
To propagate and maintain unity, dignity and harmony among pharmacists
To protect the public as far as possible in all matters relative to pharmacy in any way they(the public) are affected by such matters
Up to the mid 1970’s, the membership of the Pharmaceutical Society was largely male-dominated and comprised members of a relatively advanced age. The Society’s Constitution at that time fully reflected the male character of the organization in it’s opening statement which read “the British Guiana Pharmaceutical Society is a working men’s club”
Prior to 1972, the training of Chemists and Druggists – as pharmacists were known at that time – comprised on-the-job apprenticeship with lectures conducted at the then Government Pharmacy building. The training of pharmacists at the University of Guyana (UG) was introduced for the first time in 1972 with the launching of the three-year Diploma in Pharmacy programme which saw an influx of young high school graduates enrolling from both Guyana and the Caribbean, since the programme had acquired regional recognition. Over the years, this Diploma Programme evolved into the Associate Degree in Pharmacy and more recently, into the Degree in Pharmacy Programme. Throughout this evolution, the GPA has continued to play an advisory role at the University level with regard to the training of Pharmacists.
With the entry of younger persons into the Pharmacy profession in the 70’s, the 1984 elections of the Pharmaceutical Society, saw the historical transition of its leadership to a group of young University-trained stalwarts, led by its President Mr. William Jeffrey who was among the second batch of UG graduating pharmacists. The driving force behind this transition was the late former Government pharmacist Mr. George Boyd, who up to the time of his passing in 2015, was a constant motivator in encouraging Pharmacists to take the GPA into the 21st century. May his soul rest in peace!
The first major task of the new GPA Executive in 1984 was to change the Society’s Constitution to be inclusive of females, who had by then become highly visible within the Pharmacy profession. The second major task of the Society was to change its name to the “The Guyana Pharmacists’ Association”
Under the new leadership, continuing education (CE) for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy students became the major focus of the GPA with the introduction of the mandatory requirement that Pharmacists must annually acquire a minimum of twelve CE credits in order to maintain their registration to practise. This has seen the GPA hosting regular CE sessions each year – including the annual GPA convention during Pharmacy Week. Presenters have included renowned health care and other professionals – including accomplished Pharmacists – who speak on a wide range of topics. This is all part of the GPA’s ongoing efforts to provide current knowledge to Guyanese pharmacists, as they endeavour to remain on par with their regional and international colleagues.
GPA Members pictured with fellow Caribbean pharmacists during the 1985 CAP Convention hosted in Guyana. Iconic personalities including William Jeffrey, Cecil Narine, Carl & Jaiwantie Bacchus and Mena Carto formed part of the organizing team for the event (Photo Credits: M. Carto)
Among its other involvements, the GPA as part of its service to the community, conducted numerous medical outreaches and made donations of pharmaceutical supplies to various charitable organizations. A major accomplishment of the GPA after 25 years of intensive lobbying, was getting the Guyana Government in 2004 to set up a Pharmacy Council as a monitoring body for ensuring that Pharmacists uphold the ethics of the profession. The GPA continues to collaborate with the Council in supporting its mandate as it does with the Ministry of Public Health and other regulatory bodies in observing their policies to safeguard the health and well-being of the Guyanese public.
At the regional level, the GPA continues to be an active member of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) of which it became a member in 1976 when CAP was formed. The GPA is also affiliated with the Commonwealth Association of Pharmacists (CPA). GPA members have over the years been active participants in the annual conferences of both these organizations and has had continuous representation at their Executive Board level. The GPA very proudly hosted joint CAP/CPA conferences in 1978, 1986, 1995, 2005 and 2015.
Over the years, the membership of the Guyana Pharmacists Association (GPA) has grown to over 200 members – a more than ten-fold increase over the scattering of pharmacists who were members in the early 80’s. The annual elections of the GPA have seen many young and enthusiastic Presidents – including the late Ms. Jaiwantie Bacchus who has given yeoman service to the profession of Pharmacy during her sojourn on earth. May her soul also rest in peace!
As with any professional Association, the GPA has had its challenges over the years – changes in the venue for its statutory meetings, fluctuating membership, and delinquency among some members in paying their membership dues. Suffice to say, there is the perennial question of “What is the Association doing for me?” rather than “What am I doing for the Association?”
Despite these challenges, the GPA continues to be one of the most vibrant professional Associations in Guyana as it actively pursues its mandate to ensure the provision of pharmaceutical services of the highest ethical and professional standards, to the people of Guyana.
The above article was adapted and prepared by Mrs. Mena Carto (Pharmacist).