A Brief History

At a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1965 a decision was taken to encourage greater development of the professions and professional organisations both nationally and internationally. A major step towards this end was the establishment in 1966 of the Commonwealth Foundation with one of its aims being the formation of Commonwealth Professional Associations.

The then President and Secretary/Registrar of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain took the initiative and with the support of the Commonwealth Foundation, the inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association was held in London in 1969. Twenty-eight Commonwealth countries were represented.

With confirmation of its Constitution in January 1970, CPA officially came into being.

In the years since, much of CPA's work has involved advocating the profession and the role of the pharmacist in particular, to governments and health bureaucracies.

Building capacity and strengthening health infrastructures and professional associations has been the focus of workshops, collaborative projects, training courses and travel fellowships.

Since its formation CPA organisational membership has grown to over forty national professional associations. Personal membership has been promoted over recent years and approximately 600 registered pharmacists from throughout the Commonwealth contribute their time and effort to advancing the Association's work.