Tel no. (632)526-8421 local 182
E-mail: pharmacy@pwu.edu.ph

Brief History

The PWU School of Pharmacy was founded in 1926 under the initiative of Dr. Francisca Tirona Benitez, who visualized the need for providing women who are service-inclined with some technical training which would be in consonance with the university's philosophy of "useful womanhood".

The first dean was Dr. Clara Aragon-Villanueva and the first offering was a 3-year course leading to the title of Pharmaceutical Chemist, the first graduates of which numbered five. In 1930, the four-year Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy course was started and in 1954, this was enriched into a five-year curriculum.

In 1947, Dr. Clara Aragon Villanueva was raised to the rank of Dean Emeritus and Mrs. Luz Oliveros-Belardo was appointed Dean. In 1954, Dean Belardo left for postgraduate studies in the University of Connecticut, and the administration of the college was placed under a committee composed of Mrs. Maria T. Vallarta as chairperson and Acting Dean Dr. Elvira F. Silva, Mrs. Milagros P. Ocampo and Mrs. Angelina S. Villarica as members. In 1956, Dean Belardo earned her Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and in 1959 she was appointed director of the newly created Science Division and chairperson of the Natural & Physical Science Research Center. Dr. Elvira Fermin-Silva, erstwhile Executive Secretary was then designated Dean.

Highlights

It has pioneered in the introduction of courses that would prepare students for newer opportunities in the field; among these, Antibiotics which was offered for the first time in 1950, Hospital Pharmacy in 1952 and Industrial Management in 1961. It has likewise contributed its share in research and community service projects.

During the grim years of the Japanese occupation, the Pharmacy laboratory was made the nucleus of one such project. The Pagamutan ng Maralita, which was initiated by Dr. Francisca Tirona Benitez extended help to the poor by prescribing drugs and medicines prepared and processed by the college under the supervision of Dr. Jaime Zaguirre as physician, Miss Remedios Pineda as pharmacist, and Mrs. Maria T. Vallarta as pharmacognocist.

At present, the college offers professional education combined with outreach activities in order to make students better prepared for professional life and for their future integration into the working environment.

Among its outstanding alumni, we find:

• Corazon Ples Padilla, Outstanding Pharmacist in Asia in Pharmaceutical Education, Outstanding Mother of the Year 1997, Makati City, and former Dean PWU College of Pharmacy
• Dr. Luz Oliveros Belardo, National Scientist, former Dean College of Pharmacy
• Lualhati Aldaba Cojuangco, Philanthropist
• Trinidad Cuyegkeng, former Director, PWU University Community Outreach Program

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
• Master of Science in Pharmacy

• Pharmacist
• Entrepreneur
• Researcher
• Pharmaceutical Educator
• Health Worker
• Medical Representative