University of Santo Tomas
Faculty of Pharmacy
Former names
1871 – Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
Established1871
DeanProf. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD Pharm, RPh
RegentFr. Pompeyo F. de Mesa, O.P.
Students3,055 (as of 2016)[1]
Location
Main Building, UST, Sampaloc, Manila
Patron saintSaints Cosmas and Damian, Immaculate Conception
Colors  Purple

The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy is the pharmaceutical school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.

Established in 1871, the faculty is the first school of pharmacy in the Philippines.[2][3] It consistently tops the Philippine licensure examinations for Pharmacy and Medical Technology.[4]

History

The Facultad de Medicina y Farmacia or the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy was founded in May 28, 1871 by virtue of the modification of the Moret decree.[2][5] The 6-year pharmacy program was offered. Don Leon Ma. Guerrero is considered to be the first graduate of the faculty.[6] In 1901, when the American administration took over, the pharmacy curriculum was revised to four years. Also in the same year, the faculty was separated from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Throughout the years, changes were made in the length of the program, from three years to five years. In 1984, the curriculum was set to four years.

In 1924, the faculty was the first college of the university to admit female students.[5]

During the deanship of Fr. Lorenzo Rodriguez, O.P., two new programs were offered and the university botanical garden was reestablished. In 1958, medical technology was first offered in the faculty as an elective course. In 1959, A 3-year program in medical technology was approved. The following year, the fourth year internship was given permission. In June 14, 1961, medical technology was recognized as a degree-level program. In 1962, the 5-year program of biochemistry was established. Forty-two students graduated in the program in 1967. In 1985, it was reduced to four years. The university was first to offer all the three programs.[6]

A program in botany was offered in the faculty in 1986. However, it was discontinued in 2004 because of its limited enrolees.

The Commission on Higher Education identifies the pharmacy and medical technology programs as Centers of Excellence.

Academic programs

Deans
Name Tenure of office
Fr. Lorenzo Rodriquez 1946–1968
Jose Dayco
Norma Lerma 1981–1999
Rosalinda Solevilla 1994–2005
Priscilla Torres 2005
Ma. Elena Manansala 2013–2015
Aleth Therese Dacanay 2015-present

The faculty offers the following academic degree programs:

Research

The faculty performs its research engagements at the UST Research Center for the Natural Sciences and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), the science and technology research arm of the university at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center (TARC).[7] Most of the research programs of the faculty deal with Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, and Natural Products for Health and Wellness. RCNAS publishes its research papers, short communications, and review papers in the journal Acta Manilana.

Notable Alumni

References

  1. ^ Bulauan, J.A.A. & Garcia, J.C.V. (January 26, 2011). "Too many students, so few classrooms". The Varsitarian. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Royandoyan, Ramon (January 28, 2011). "UST: Pioneer of science education in the Philippines". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Cledera, Clyde (April 3, 2018). "147 Purple Years: The 2018 Faculty of Pharmacy Week". When In Manila. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (March 14, 2017). "UST graduate tops Pharmacy board exams". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Palafox, Quennie Ann (September 4, 2012). "Asia's Oldest University, The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Nakpil, Lisa Guerrero (December 13, 2020). "The First Filipino Pharmacists: Dreamers First, Scientists Second". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Cortiguerra, Janine (September 29, 2017). "ERDB visits biological laboratories of top universities in the Philippines". Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
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