Pharmacy Apprenticeship Education in Western Australia by Bruce Sunderland

Emeritus Professor Bruce Sunderland has recently launched a booklet that documents the unusual pathway adopted for the education of apprentice pharmacists in WA between 1903 and 1968.

The booklet documents the unusual pathway adopted for the education of apprentice pharmacists in this state from course development and moves made to improve recognition of pharmacy education in WA through to those involved in the process, the teaching staff and the main sources of influence on changes that occurred in the course. It also discusses whether the master pharmacist-apprentice role was “indentured slavery”.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Western Australia was established in 1892, and received statutory recognition in 1895, which was prior to the establishment of any post-secondary education facility in WA, although the Colony had then been established for 66 years. In 1902 the Pharmaceutical Council made an arrangement with Perth Technical School, established in 1900, to provide classes for apprentices in chemistry, botany and materia medica commencing in 1903. However, the control of pharmacy apprenticeships, apprenticeship education and examinations remained with the Pharmaceutical Council of WA.

The book is available for $30, from Hesperian Press, Oats Street, Carlisle, WA or  hesperianpress.com