THE FACULTY of Pharmacy at the University of Santo Tomas was recognized as the first Founding University of the Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (PACOP) during its 50th-anniversary celebration last week.

Dean Aleth Therese L. Dacanay received the prestigious recognition, underscoring UST’s pioneering role in shaping pharmacy education in the country.

In a social media post, the Faculty of Pharmacy expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the institution’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence and professional leadership.

UST’s Faculty of Pharmacy offers five academic programs: BS Pharmacy, BS Pharmacy majoring in Clinical Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy, BS Medical Technology, and BS Biochemistry. Three of these programs are certified by the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance, while the BS Pharmacy and BS Medical Technology programs hold Level IV accreditation from the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation.

The Faculty is home to renowned academics and industry leaders, including Dean Dacanay, who currently serves as President of the Philippine Pharmacists’ Association, and alumna Ma. Lourdes S. Garganera, RPh, who is Assistant Treasurer. Notable alumni include Prof. Agnes Llamasares-Castillo, PhD, recipient of the 2024 National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Ms. Vivian Que-Azcona, President of Mercury Drug Corporation, the country’s leading drugstore chain.

The recognition reflects the enduring legacy and pioneering spirit of UST’s Faculty of Pharmacy, significantly contributing to the advancement of pharmacy education in the Philippines.