Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Ontario College of Pharmacy
Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024
1. Ontario College of Pharmacy Marker
Inscription.
Ontario College of Pharmacy. . In 1882, the Ontario College of Pharmacy opened Canada's first school of pharmacy, which moved into this building in 1887. A group of 18 druggists (a former term for pharmacists) founded the predecessor organization the Toronto Chemists and Druggists Association in 1867 to oversee their work with medicines and poisons. They were a licensing and regulatory body, a teaching college, and a professional society. In the 19th century, pharmacists competed with doctors, grocers, and other retailers regarding what medication each profession was allowed to make, prescribe, or sell. The 1871 Ontario Pharmacy Act made the Ontario College of Pharmacy responsible for testing students, issuing qualifications, and registering those who could legally dispense drugs. The College professionalized pharmacy over several decades. In 1892, it became affiliated with the University of Toronto, and the Faculty of Pharmacy offered the first graduate degree in 1953. The now-renamed Ontario College of Pharmacists remains the rιgulatory body for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies in the province.
In 1882, the Ontario College of Pharmacy opened Canada's first school of pharmacy, which moved into this building in 1887. A group of 18 druggists (a former term for pharmacists) founded the predecessor organization the Toronto Chemists and Druggists Association in 1867 to oversee their work with medicines and poisons. They were a licensing and regulatory body, a teaching college, and a professional society. In the 19th century, pharmacists competed with doctors, grocers, and other retailers regarding what medication each profession was allowed to make, prescribe, or sell. The 1871 Ontario Pharmacy Act made the Ontario College of Pharmacy responsible for testing students, issuing qualifications, and registering those who could legally dispense drugs. The College professionalized pharmacy over several decades. In 1892, it became affiliated with the University of Toronto, and the Faculty of Pharmacy offered the first graduate degree in 1953. The now-renamed Ontario College of Pharmacists remains the rιgulatory body for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies in the province.
Erected 2023 by Heritage Toronto.
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 43° 39.585′ N, 79° 22.782′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It is on Gerrard Street East 0.1 kilometers west of Church Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44 Gerrard Street East, Toronto ON M5B 1J6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto and on the Golden Horseshoe. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Layers of Change (here, next to this marker); Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms (about 120 meters away, measured
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 105 times this year. Last updated on June 18, 2025, by John D Grabenstein of Easton, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
