Pharmaceutical teaching at the University of Coimbra dates back to the end of the 16th century in the reign of King Sebastião. The course was remodelled as part of the Pombaline reform of the university (1772), although it still did not award any academic degrees. In 1836, the University of Coimbra’s School of Pharmacy was established, operating in connection with the Faculty of Medicine. From that year, it was no longer possible to take the alternative route of the role of Chief Physician, which dated back to 1521, to obtain the professional title of pharmacist. In 1902, the pharmacy course was deemed to be of higher education level and the Faculty underwent a new and in-depth reform of its courses and of the institution itself. In 1911, the pharmacy course became autonomous from the Faculty of Medicine and, in 1918, the School of Pharmacy came to be called the Higher School of Pharmacy. These two reforms included adjustments to the study programmes and the structure of the school. In 1912, the School of Pharmacy was given its first facilities – Casa dos Melos – which opened in 1915. The work carried out by the School of Pharmacy was similar to that of any other Faculty, for which reason, in 1921, with the enacting of Decree no. 7,238, of 18 January, the School was elevated to the category of Faculty. The same year, Decree no. 7,668, of 13 August, approved its regulation. This document reorganised the Faculty and its study programme, turning a new page in the history of the oldest pharmaceutical institution of higher education in the country.
João Rui Pita Professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra
In 1921, the Higher School of Pharmacy of Porto was elevated to the status of Faculty. And so, the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP) was born, with Aníbal Augusto Cardoso Fernandes Leite da Cunha as its first director. Named an “Eminent Figure” of the University of Porto in 2012, he was among those responsible for consolidating the teaching of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical profession in Portugal. He also instigated the building of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Porto, on the street bearing his name.
In 2012, the FFUP transferred to new facilities in the centre of Porto, next to the Crystal Palace. The modern complex provides the conditions and environment necessary to allow the institution to develop and become increasingly recognised for its teaching and scientific research. One hundred years after its founding, the FFUP is embarking on a new cycle and a new century of global health.
Tiago Rebelo Pinto Communication Office of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto
On 18 January 1921, through Decree no. 7,238, the Higher School of Pharmacy changed its name to the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon (FFUL), which allowed it not only to award degrees and doctorates in Pharmacy, but also to issue the Pharmacist-Chemist diploma. This occurrence was highly significant in the history of the FFUL and contributed decisively to promoting the scientific training of Pharmacists, with greater development of distinctive skills, and the resulting impact on contemporary health systems.
One hundred years later, and responding gratefully to CTT’s invitation to join forces on this stamp issue commemorating the Centenary of the Establishment of the Faculties of Pharmacy: Coimbra, Lisbon and Porto, we would firstly like to pay tribute to all the pharmacists who trained at FFUL and express our collective gratitude to all the students, teachers, researchers and non-teaching staff who have formed part of the FFUL’s life journey.
The teaching and research practised at the FFUL have responded to the demands of our global world with innovation, creativity, and intellectual intensity, providing value and knowledge to people in their daily lives. Proud and dignified by this legacy, the FFUL stands firm in its mission to teach and transform... through health, through people and for people.
Beatriz Silva Lima Director of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon
