History of the faculty
The School of Pharmacy was founded in 1964 regarded as a part of the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. It is the first faculty of Pharmacy in the Northern Thai region and the second oldest faculty of Pharmacy in Thailand with ten first-generation students. In 1972, it was established to be the Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University on March 31 which is considered as the first day of the establishment. At that moment, It was divided into six departments, namely Department of Pharmacy Chemistry, Pharmacovigilance, Pharmacy, Pharmacy administration, Pharmaceutical industry and Biopharmaceuticals. Until in 1977, the faculty’s location was moved to the current location on Suthep Road. The categories and names of the Departments have been arranged that the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical industry have been changed into the Departments of Community Pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology, respectively. Subsequently, the academic administration was again modified in 2001 in order to be coincide with the revised Bachelor of Pharmacy program, which has been divided into two departments including the departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical care so far.
Regarding educational program for the bachelor's degree, at the beginning, the program operated a 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy. Then, the program was arranged to be a 5-year Bachelor of Pharmacy. In 2004, a 6-year Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical care was first operated. Recently, the educational programs were revised to be the Bachelor of Pharmacy Program 2013 (improved program) in order to achieve the program that complies with the guidelines of the 6-year program as established by the Thai Pharmacy Council and also complies with the standard tertiary courses established by the National Higher Education Qualifications. In addition, faculty of Pharmacy opened a Master's degree in Pharmacy program in 1982, followed by a Master's degree of Biopharmaceutical program in 1987, Master's degree Program Joint program with other faculties at Chiang Mai University in the field of Public Health in 1990, Master's degree in Pharmacy Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology program in 1992, Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy program, together with other Faculties of Pharmacy in other 3 provinces in 1996, Master's degree and Doctorate’s degree in Biotechnology program, together with other faculties in Chiang Mai University in 1997, Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy program in 1999, International program of Master's degree in Health Sciences together with other faculties of Health Sciences in 1999, International Program of Doctorate’s degree in Pharmacy and Master of Science Program in Pharmacy Science in 2001, Master of Pharmacy program in Pharmacy Management for both regular and special courses in 2007 and Master of Science program in Cosmetic Science in 2015. Furthermore, the Faculty has offered programs for specialists in pharmaceutical care including Certificated specialist in Pharmacotherapy with the College of Pharmacotherapy, the Pharmacy Council in 2015 and has improved the program at the graduate studies to be up-to-date.
In terms of academic services to society, University Pharmacy has been established since 1985 to provide healthcare services to the community. In addition, the University Pharmacy serves as an educational and training institution for Pharmacy students which has been certified by the Thai Pharmacy Council as a quality drugstore. In 2012, University Pharmacy branch was established at Phai Lom Health Center in order to offer healthcare services for Chiang Mai University students. In 2013, the herbal medicine shop namely "Hom Klai" was established to enhance the use of herbs and herbal products as well as to be an academic learning resource providing consumers with knowledge, understanding and good attitude towards herbal products. Then, the establishment of a Pharmacy Service Center was done in 2009 to provide pharmacy research services, especially the studies of bioequivalence and pharmaceutical properties of drug products for the national pharmaceutical industry.