RPS Charter Medals
For work done by an individual ‘for the Society and the wider profession’ in promoting the interests of pharmacy at an outstanding level.
RPS Charter Medals were introduced in 1963 to recognise pharmacists’ work on both a national and local level.
From 1964 a gold medal was awarded to pharmacists for their work on a national level, and a silver medal for work on a local level.
The Latin motto on the medal reads, Habenda Ratio Valetudinis, which is taken from Cicero, and translates as We Must Pay Attention To Our Health.
Previous awardees
Sir Hugh Linstead, who was awarded the Charter Gold Medal in 1972, was one of the youngest people to hold the position of Secretary and Registrar of the society, from 1926, and remained an officer of the Society for over 41 years. He played an important role in developing the legislation for the Pharmacy and Poison Act of 1933, and later promoted pharmacy in his role as MP for Putney from 1942 to 1964.
Eric Knott was awarded the Charter Silver Medal in 1965 for his dedication to Scottish pharmacy and his work as a ‘teacher of pharmacy’ as he referred to himself. He was Secretary of the Edinburgh and South-eastern Scottish Branch from 1949 to 1965, and taught as Principle of the Duncan School of Pharmacy, as well as later at Heriot-Watt College.