History and Today
The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Warsaw (1926-1950)
Pre-war years and WWII (1926-1945)
The first independent Faculty of Pharmacy in the Republic of Poland was established on the 29th of January, 1926 as part of the University of Warsaw. That time four-year study course was provided. However, it should be highlighted that the pharmaceutical education in Warsaw has been carried out since the first half of nineteenth century on the chemical-pharmaceutical courses organized by the Faculty of Medicine. Until 1945, the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Warsaw was the only one in Poland independent academic center dedicated to education of pharmacists with the same status, rights and privileges as the faculties of other fields of science.
The outbreak of the Second World War on the 1st of September, 1939, interrupted the Faculty's scientific and educational activities. The secret teaching of pharmacy students began in various organizational forms, from individual sets up to the creation of the Secret Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Warsaw academic year 1941/42. The secret studies were continued until the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising on the 1st of August, 1944.
The post-war period (1945-1950)
After the Second World War, the education of pharmacy began at the turn of January and February 1945. During next few years the Faculty of Pharmacy was organized again despite the difficult post-war situation. At that time the Faculty of Pharmacy was still a part of the University of Warsaw.
The Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical Academy of Warsaw (1950-2006)
and the Medical University of Warsaw (from 2006- until present)
In 1950, by order of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Poland, the medical and pharmaceutical departments were separated from the structure of universities, creating self-independent medical academies. The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Warsaw was transformed into the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical Academy of Warsaw. A five-year undergraduate pharmacy course was introduced, leading to the degree - Master of Pharmacy (MPharm).
In early seventies, the departments of the Faculty of Pharmacy, located around Warsaw, were moved into present buildings which are situated at the intersection of Żwirki i Wigury and Banacha Str.
At the beginning of this century, the Medical Academy of Warsaw includes five faculties. This progress promoted a resolution to change the name to the Medical University of Warsaw. In 2006, the resolution was unanimously adopted by the University Senate.
Throughout its history, the Faculty of Pharmacy has realized numerous achievements in the fields of science and education. The most significant includes the development and commercialization of new and totally original active compounds: todralazine (Binazin) and gapicopine (Bicordin) by Prof. Stanisław Biniecki Recently, significant scientific achievements of the Faculty of Pharmacy have been noted in the fields of nanotechnology, biomaterials, phytochemistry and biotechnology. New education programs related to pharmaceutical care, clinical pharmacy as well as pharmacoeconomics have been introduced into study course, including also elements of advanced toxicology and selected aspect of so-called pharmaceutical crime. The Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Warsaw is a leading academic center for pharmacy studies in Poland. Its current educational and scientific statuses are confirmed by the accreditation certificate issued by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) and high scientific category “A” according to the evaluation of the Committee for Evaluation of the Scientific Units (KEJN). In 2016, the ninetieth anniversary of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Warsaw was celebrated. The celebratory gala organized on the 12nd of December 2016 was attended by Rector Magnificus Prof. Mirosław Wielgoś and Members of the Medical University Authorities, Deans of other faculties of pharmacy from around the Poland and distinguished guests from Polish pharmaceutical organizations (see: https://www.wum.edu.pl/2016-12-12-jubileusz-90-lecia-wydzialu-farmaceutycznego).
Vivat crescat floreat Facultas Pharmaceutica Varsoviensis!
Read more about the Medical University of Warsaw at: http://www.wum.edu.pl/en/about-university/short-history