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The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7256 p31
5 July 2003

Society summary

100 years of local pharmacy organisation in East London

The newly elected chairman of the East Metropolitan branch, Brian Miller (right) receives the branch insignia from his predecessor, Martin Silver. Mr Miller is also wearing the chain of office of the West Ham and District Association of Pharmacists

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's East Metropolitan branch is celebrating 100 years of local pharmacy organisation in East London.

The branch's origins lie in a meeting on 19 February 1903 at which a group of West Ham pharmacists decided to form a chemists' association for West Ham North. According to The Journal's report of the meeting: "The idea was taken up with a good deal of enthusiasm, and bids well, from the promises of membership, to develop into a flourishing association."

The new West Ham and District Chemists' Association immediately set itself the task of persuading all local pharmacy owners to agree to a weekly early closing day. Within a few months, East London pharmacies were closing at 2pm on Thursdays instead of staying open until 7pm or later. When the Society's organised branch system began in 1922, the association's membership formed the nucleus of the new East Metropolitan branch.