The British Pharmacological Society is the primary UK learned society for pharmacologists, concerned with research into drugs and the ways in which they work. Members work in academia, industry, regulatory agencies, and the health services, and many are medically qualified. The Society covers the whole spectrum of pharmacology, including laboratory, clinical, and toxicological aspects. Clinical pharmacology is the medical speciality dedicated to promoting safe and effective use of medicines for patient benefit. Many clinical pharmacologists work as consultants in the National Health Service and many hold prominent positions in UK universities and in regulatory bodies, such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

History

The Society was founded in 1931, in Oxford, by a group of about 20 pharmacologists. They were brought together on the initiative of Professor James Andrew Gunn, through a letter signed by Gunn, Henry H. Dale, and Walter E. Dixon, and sent to the heads of university departments of pharmacology and of institutions for pharmacological research in Great Britain, with proposals for the formation of a pharmacological club. There were favorable replies to this letter, and most of the recipients met in Wadham College, Oxford, on the evening of 3 July 1931, the day before the meeting of the Physiological Society. Gunn presided over the meeting. It was agreed that a Society should be founded, to meet at least once a year for the reading of papers on pharmacological subjects and discussions of questions of teaching and publications and to promote friendly relations between pharmacologists. The first female member of the society was Mary Pickford (1935), and other early eminent women members included Marthe Vogt and Edith Bülbring.

Publications

The British Pharmacological Society publishes several works that promote pharmacology and clinical pharmacology:

Presidents

The office of president was formally created in 1999. Before that the role was taken by members of the society under titles such as secretary and general secretary. Since 2010, all previous general secretaries and presidents have been awarded the title president emeritus. Secretary and treasurer Secretary General secretary President

Eminent pharmacologists

The society elects eminent, deceased contributors to the subject of pharmacology, whether or not they were members, to the Pharmacology Hall of Fame: Members of the society awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine include Black, Dale and Vane.

Fellows of the society

Fellowships (FBPhS) of the society are awarded to members who have made significant contributions to both the study of pharmacology and the Society. A full list of Fellows is available here. Honorary Fellowships (HonFBPhS) are awarded to member or non-members for distinguished and sustained leadership role in Pharmacology. Fellows and Honorary Fellows use the post-nominal FBPhS. Notable current honorary fellows include: