Description

Admin History:

The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain was established in 1841, with 4 from Hull amongst it's founding members. By 1842, there were 20 members plus 12 associates in the town, with their own local secretary. These were only appointed when there was a membership of no less than three members in the area. The primary aim of the organisation was to draw a distinction between chemists and apothecaries. Out of this grew the Hull Pharmacists Association. In 1870, 27 chemists in Hull had joined the association, but this represented less than 1/5 of the businesses in the town. However by 1876 membership was at its peak, with some 58 members.

The Hull Branch of the United Society of Chemists and Druggists (USCD) was formed in 1863 and by 1867 had established a good working relationship with the Pharmaceutical Society. In addition, by 1868 the Hull Chemist Association (HCA) had been founded, with members from the USCD involved with both organisations. In 1874 the HCA actively supported local chemist, William Staning, one of it's founding members who was being prosecuted for selling a medicinal preparation without a spirit licence. With local firm Rollit and Sons as solicitors, the case against Staning was dismissed after two and a half days. Membership of the HCA declined in the late 1870s probably after the formation of the Chemists and Druggists' Trade Association. With price cutting becoming a major issue in 1896 the Propriety Articles Trade Association was formed, with the HCA becoming the local executive for it in 1897.

By 1905 the HCA was down to 24 members, with few attending meetings or functions. 1907 saw the Pharmaceutical Society write to the Hull Chemist Association and suggest they work together on a joint regional scheme across Yorkshire. The two organisations eventually amalgamated in the 1920s, with new rules and a constitution devised in 1926 which widened the membership and saw it grow.

The Hull Chemist Association and the local branch of the Pharmaceutical Society offered both professional and social functions to their members. 1873 had seen the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain allow women to join the association, and many become active members. Several members from Hull rose to high office within the national bodies. In 2004, the Hull branch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society was still active with, approximately 300 members with 116 community pharmacies, plus hospital pharmacies and trade representatives.

Description:

Prescriptions issued ledger, newsletters, memos, letters, reports, booklets, notes, programmes and invitations, press cuttings and photographs