June 16 has been designated Commonwealth Pharmacy Day, when pharmacists in Commonwealth countries are asked to make a special effort to promote the profession.
June 16 was chosen because it marks the date of the inaugural meeting in 1969 which led to the formation of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association. (It is also the birthday of one of the CPA's principal founders, the late Albert Howells, OBE, who chaired the inaugural meeting.)
Celebrated since 1982, Commonwealth Pharmacy Day is used annually in some countries to promote pharmacy to other health professions, to government departments and to the public. Although it has been particularly recognised in third world countries, the CPA encourages all Commonwealth pharmacists to celebrate the day and apply themselves to promoting the profession.
(Since its foundation, the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association has been strongly supported by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, which provides the association's secretariat. British pharmacists can become personal members of the CPA for an annual fee of £10. Applications for membership should be sent to the Secretary, Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association, 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN.)