Father of Pharmacy: An Overview
Prof. Mahadeva Lal Schroff is regarded as India's founder of pharmacy. He attained this distinction as a result of his accomplishments, which included steering India's pharmaceutical sector and educational system in the proper direction. Furthermore, despite the fact that he was not even a professional pharmacist, he had a huge influence on the pharmaceutical sector.
What is Pharmacy?
The pharmacy is a clinical health science that connects medical science and chemistry and is responsible for the discovery, disposal, manufacturing, effective and safe usage, and management of pharmaceuticals and treatments. Certain pharmacist specialties, such as clinical pharmacy, require additional abilities, such as understanding the collection and evaluation of physical and laboratory data.
Father of Pharmacy: Who is the Father of Pharmacy in India?
Prof. Mahadeva Lal Schroff is known as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India because he steered the field of pharmacy in the correct direction and inspired several generations of pharmacists. He wasn't a qualified pharmacist, but his contributions to the industry are many, and he fostered the field to provide opportunities for future pharmacists. Throughout his life and profession, he faced several barriers and major problems.
Father of Pharmacy: Mahadeva Lal Shroff
Prof. Mahadeva Lal Schroff, properly referred to as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India, passed away on August 25, 1971, and he surely remains an inspiration to all pharmacists working in this nation, regardless of their branches or responsibilities. Prof. Schroff, who was not qualified as a pharmacist, guided not just pharmaceutical education but also the Indian industry with his aptitude, comprehension, talent, and broad vision.
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Father of Pharmacy: Early Life
Prof. Mahadeva Lal Schroff was born in the Bihar city of Darbhanga on March 6, 1902. He finished his education at Bhagalpur (Bihar) and passed his intermediate test in 1920. Following that, he enrolled in the Engineering College at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, India. Prof. Schroff was ordered to leave the institution in 1921 after speaking out against the then-principal, Charles A. King. Prof. Schroff left India after graduating from engineering school and spent time in China, Japan, and America. He earned his UG degree in arts with honors in chemistry in 1925 and his PG degree in chemistry and microbiology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1927.
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Father of Pharmacy Work Life
He experienced several hurdles during his career and schooling, but he overcame them all to make significant contributions and nurture the pharmacy area. When he returned to India in 1929, he got a job with Birla Brothers Ltd. Then, on the recommendation of J. L. Bajaj, he was introduced to the then Vice Chancellor of BHU, Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya, and was invited to join BHU as an honorary staff member. In 1932, Prof. Schroff established pharmaceutical chemistry as the main subject in the B.Sc. program at BHU. From 1934, an integrated 2-year B.Sc. Course including the topics of chemistry, pharmacy, and pharmacognosy was launched, which was eventually transformed into a full-fledged three-year B Pharm courseat BHU for the first time in India beginning in 1937. Prof. M. L. Schroff's first and greatest creation earned him the title of pioneer.
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Father of Pharmacy: Later Life
Soon after, in December 1935, Prof. Shroff founded the United Provinces Pharma Association, which quickly expanded beyond the limits of UP in 1939 to become the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, with chapters all throughout the nation. He was the editor of the Indian Journal of Pharmacy, which was started in January 1939.
Prof. Schroff was called back to the educational area in 1964, this time at Jadhavpur University, where he was appointed Head of Department at the newly created Pharmacy Department. He resigned as professor and head of Pharmacy Department at Jadhavpur University after nearly forty years of service (1932 to 1968), including the last four years at Jadhavpur (July 1964 to January 1968). He founded the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, which he edited from 1965 to 1971, until his death in 1971.
Father of Pharmacy: Foundations
The following are some of the things which are founded by Prof. Mahadeva Lal Schroff-
- Indian Pharma Association (1935 as the U.P. Pharma Association and 1939 as the Indian Pharmacy Association).
- Indian Journal of Pharmacists (1945).
- Bhaishaj Patrika in Hindi (1980).
- Bheshjayan (1968).
- Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (1968).
- President of various State Pharmacist Associations (Bengal, Bihar).
- President of the Pharmacy Council of India (1954-1959).
Father of Pharmacy: Work
His work, "The History of Indian Pharmacy," is a classic treatise that unfolds the numerous features of pharmacy practice in ancient and medieval India, which have roots and significance even in current pharmacy in our nation. Prof. Mahadeva Lal Schroff's life inspires us to work hard, be sincere in our intentions, and serve the homeland. As the pioneer who lighted the fire of pharmaceutical education in the country, he will remain an inspiration to Indian pharmacists.
Father of Pharmacy: Award
In honour of this legendary figure, the IPA established the coveted Prof. M.L. Schroff Medal for students achieving the top grades in the final year B.Pharm. examinations across all Indian universities and colleges. The award includes a merit certificate, a medal, and a monetary prize of Rs. 1,000.