The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7244 p525
12 April 2003

Society summary

Society's museum takes part in Royal Free anniversary celebration

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's museum is providing activities and historical displays as part of the 175th anniversary celebrations of London's Royal Free Hospital on Thursday 17 April.

The Royal Free originally opened in 1828 as a dispensary (PJ, 22 March, p417), and in recognition of this the theme of the day will be the history of pharmacy. The activities and displays provided by the Society will be based around historical objects from the dispensary and sick room. Museum staff will be on hand encouraging visitors to try their hand at pill making, using a pill machine and rounder. Young children will be able to try the "Pharmacy Challenge", matching images of well known pharmacy objects with their descriptions.

Briony Hudson, keeper of the Society's museum collection, said: "We're really pleased that the Royal Free has chosen to go back to its origins and celebrate its 175th anniversary with a focus on the history of pharmacy. This is a great opportunity for us to take the pharmacy's past out to the public and we look forward to working with the hospital to make the 17 April an enjoyable and informative day for visitors to the event."

The free event will be open to staff, patients and the public between 11am and 4pm in the atrium of the hospital in Pond Street, London NW3.