Pharmacy at USJ: Since 1883

Pharmacy studies at Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) began in November 1883 within the School of Medicine. Although not formally recognized at first, Reverend Father Clairet considered pharmacy an “essential complement to medicine.”

On October 6, 1888, the French government granted the School of Medicine the status and privileges of a medical faculty. The School of Pharmacy received official recognition on December 4, 1889, along with the authority to award degrees. Following this integration, the institution became the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, in line with international academic models.

In November 1912, the Faculty relocated to newly built facilities on Damascus Road, within the Medical Sciences Campus, due to space constraints. Admission requirements have evolved since 1889: initially based on age and education, they were replaced in 1940 by a competitive entrance exam. Today, candidates can apply through one of three methods: application file, competitive examination, or academic qualifications.

The pharmacy program and its duration have undergone significant changes:

• The initial 52-week internship, once completed during the first year, was later restructured into three-month summer sessions at the end of each academic year, with a hospital pharmacy internship added in 1993.
• Theoretical studies expanded from a three-year curriculum in 1889 to a five-year program.

Throughout its history, the Faculty has awarded various pharmacist diplomas:

• From November 1891 to November 1894, the French Minister of Public Instruction signed the diplomas.

• Between 1895 and 1898, the University of Lyon issued the diplomas under its seal.

• From 1899 to 1914, a joint jury awarded both the French State Diploma and the Ottoman State Diploma. 

• In 1919, the Faculty discontinued the Ottoman State Diploma and continued to issue only the French Diploma of Pharmacist until 1976.

• From 1977 to 1981, students received both the French State Diploma and the Diploma from the Saint Joseph University.

• Since 1982, the Doctor of Pharmacy (Practicing Doctorate) from the Saint Joseph University has replaced the Pharmacist Diploma.

In 2002, a new program in Dietetics and Nutrition was introduced at the Faculty of Pharmacy.

In 2003, the School of Medical Lab Technicians (ETLAM) became affiliated with the Faculty.

Since 2014, the Health Technology Pole (PTS) at the Innovation and Sports Campus has housed new research laboratories for the Faculty:

• Laboratory of Biology, Laboratory of Microbiology Quality Control, and Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory - Lebanon.

• Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Therapies.

• Laboratory of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Quality Control.

• Laboratory of Human Nutrition.

These laboratories complement those located at the Medical Sciences Campus:

• Laboratory of Toxicology and the Center for Poison Control.

• Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Research.

• Laboratories of Practical Work in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Industrial Pharmacy, as well as laboratories of ETLAM and the Experimental Kitchen.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education officially recognized the Doctor of Pharmacy (Practicing Doctorate) from the Saint Joseph University since 2017. This program comprises 360 credits, distributed over ten academic semesters and four summer trimesters.

This multidisciplinary program provides students with a comprehensive education. It allows them to specialize or work in various fields, including community pharmacy, industry, hospital and clinical pharmacy, medical analysis laboratories, pharmaceutical marketing, and biological and pharmaceutical research.

The Faculty also offers a wide range of complementary academic pathways, including university diplomas, DSS, Master degrees, and PhDs in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences or Nutritional Sciences.