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. 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 régulatory 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,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s 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

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

2. Ontario College of Pharmacy Marker

(about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Toronto Normal and Model School (about 150 meters away); The Toronto Normal School (about 210 meters away); Ryerson Polytechnical Institue (about 210 meters away); Oakham House (about 210 meters away); a different marker also named Oakham House (about 240 meters away); Le Coq d’Or Tavern (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Former Ontario College of Pharmacy building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

3. Former Ontario College of Pharmacy building

Original College of Pharmacy building, 1890 image. Click for full size.

4. Original College of Pharmacy building, 1890

University of Toronto Archives (public domain)

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 481 times since then and 125 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.