A Concept is Born
During academic year 2005-2006, the UPR Vice-Presidency initiated the coordination of efforts directed to the renovation and improvement of the university museums, with the goal of eventually attaining accreditation by the American Association of Museums. The former Luis Torres Díaz Pharmacy Museum of the School of Pharmacy embraced this initiative and in September 2007 the concept of a new Museum of Pharmacy and Medicinal Plants emerged. The purpose was to articulate the research, preservation and education activities of the Luis Torres Díaz Museum of Pharmacy, originally opened in1954, with those of the School’s former Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Garden, founded in 1936. This required the adoption of a new mission and vision.
The Mission and Vision
The mission of the Museum of Pharmacy and Medicinal Plants is to engage in research, preservation and education activities related to the living collection of medicinal plants of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and to the historic collection on pharmacy practice in the island, with the purpose of contributing to the enhancement of scientific knowledge about natural drug products, the discovery of new and better drugs, and the appreciation for pharmacy’s heritage and social commitment.
The vision is to be the leader in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean in research, conservation and education related with natural drug products and the professional evolution of pharmacy in the island.