In 1912, over one hundred and ten years ago, pharmacists were exposed to claims, fraudulent or justified. One particular case triggered the establishment of PDL by Victorian pharmacist Frank Buckhurst, who wanted to ensure pharmacists were protected from such claims throughout their professional life.
"Paramount Victorian pharmacist and PDL's Founding Chairman Frank Buckhurst (1912–1929) conducted the Mutual Store Pharmacy in Melbourne from 1897 -1929. Half way through his career he owned a pharmacy in Camberwell from 1906 until his final days in 1929. Historian Greg Haines says he was “a businessman chemist with the charm, rustic humour and straight-talking ways of the populist leader”. He could articulate what self-employed pharmacists feared most and had the vision and drive to motion solutions which garnered long-term support.
Buckhurst was instrumental in bringing attention to unjustified claims across the pharmacist landscape. He notably called a mass meeting of chemists to lobby against the liability faced by Echuca chemist Francis Gough in 1912. Gough had been held responsible for damages of £200 when Grenfell farmer William Hilton aspirated one of Gough’s headache powders.
Following this incident Buckhurst was inspired to protect pharmacists from such claims and alas PDL was established with the assistance of his first Secretary, Les Butchers. They were joined on the first Federal Council of Pharmaceutical Defence by Sydney Mears from NSW and WH Porter from South Australia. Buckhurst worked tirelessly to raise money for the fund to help Gough, initially devoting a month of his time to visiting as many pharmacists as possible at his own expense. He was also present at the inaugural meeting sponsored by the Society which established Sigma in 1912 along with Society president AR Bailey, Ernest Leete, Sigma’s founder, and Edwin Thomas Church—all representing major pharmacy organisations."
"A detailed history of Paul’s first 100 years can be read in the publication The Silent Service: Pharmaceutical Defence Limited 1912–2012: Keeping pharmacy safe for 100 years by Stephen Greenwood.
“After 100 years, PDL can be proud of its major contribution in protecting the professional interests of Australia’s pharmacists. But its legacy is much more than that. Its contribution to pharmacy practice and risk management has helped build the trust Australians have in the professionalism of their pharmacists, whether it be in the dispensing of medications, provision of advice or professional services.
That it has been able to do this by protecting both pharmacists and patient safety, while contributing so much of its commission and investment revenues back to the profession through supporting pharmacy events, research, professional development and pharmacy publishing through good times and bad, is a credit to the vision of its founders and those who followed.”
A detailed history of Paul’s first 100 years can be read in the publication The Silent Service: Pharmaceutical Defence Limited 1912–2012: Keeping pharmacy safe for 100 years by Stephen Greenwood.
“After 100 years, PDL can be proud of its major contribution in protecting the professional interests of Australia’s pharmacists. But its legacy is much more than that. Its contribution to pharmacy practice and risk management has helped build the trust Australians have in the professionalism of their pharmacists, whether it be in the dispensing of medications, provision of advice or professional services.
That it has been able to do this by protecting both pharmacists and patient safety, while contributing so much of its commission and investment revenues back to the profession through supporting pharmacy events, research, professional development and pharmacy publishing through good times and bad, is a credit to the vision of its founders and those who followed.”
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December 2024
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Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.