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In 1967, the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association (CPhA) selected one third-year student from each faculty of pharmacy in Canada to be a Centennial Scholar. After touring various pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, and government agencies, the scholars concluded their tour in Toronto for the Annual CPhA Conference.
At this conference, students from the Undergraduate Pharmaceutical Student Society at the University of Toronto met with the scholars to propose the formation of a National Association to represent all pharmacy students. The first year of CAPSI's existence as an association was in 1968.
Since this time, their respective faculties have elected CAPSI representatives annually and these representatives have elected a National Executive. The Executive consisted of a President, Secretary-Treasurer, and a CAPSIL editor. In 1984, the position of President-Elect was instituted to give greater continuity to the Association, and the position of Secretary-Treasurer was changed to Treasurer in anticipation of the institution of an Executive Secretary from CPhA. In 1985 the positions of Eastern and Western Vice-President were established, and CPhA granted CAPSI the use of an Executive-Recording Secretary. In 1988 the student position of Corresponding Secretary was created to meet CAPSI's increasing communication needs.
The positions of Eastern and Western Vice-President were later revised to Vice-President Communications and Vice-President Education, without the geographic restrictions of East and West and the responsibilities of the former titles allocated respectively. An International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) Liaison was also developed to create a presence for CAPSI on an international level. In 1997, CAPSI hosted its first IPSF Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia as full voting members of IPSF.
Although CAPSI has been honoured with a seat on CPhA's Council of delegates for many years, it was in 1985 that CAPSI was granted OBSERVER STATUS on CPhA's Board of Directors. Since 1988 CAPSI has held two seats on the CPhA Council of Delegates due to high participation as CPhA student members. Furthermore, this full Observer Status position on the Board of Directors was developed as part of the portfolio of CAPSI's immediate Past President. In 1995, however, this position was removed and CPhA created the Student Director position. This Student Director acts to represent all CPhA student members across Canada.
Each year CAPSI's membership has grown across the country with the goal of 100% membership always in mind. Prior to 1983, the Universite de Montreal and Universite Laval were not part of CAPSI. In 1983, the Centennial Scholar from Universite de Montreal was approached by the National Executive to introduce CAPSI to Montreal. In 1984, the Centennial Scholar from Laval also brought CAPSI to her University. In 1985, members of CAPSI's National Executive attended the annual "Le Congress des etudiants en pharmacie du Quebec" to strengthen this new affiliation with Montreal and Laval.
The members of CAPSI can be proud of their Association's self-initiated development.
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