Celebrating 80 years of the BPSA: Refreshed, Renewed, Rebranded

This mandate (2021-22), we are celebrating an exciting milestone; 80 years of the BPSA! Founded in 1942, the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association has been advocating for and representing pharmaceutical students for decades, and we look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come. Although a lot has changed over this period of time, including recently due to the unprecedented situations brought by the pandemic, we continue to retain our principles, values, and traditions which are at the core of the Association and its work. 

To mark this celebration, the BPSA has been refreshed, renewed, and rebranded #BrandNewBPSA. Read on for an interesting explanation of our new logo, including an insight into the reasons behind the symbols used. 

BPSA President, Bella Shah, said:

“We are thrilled to be launching our rebrand, and in celebration of our 80th year! A big thank you goes out to the team at RPS, without whom this mammoth task would not have been possible. We aimed to include easily recognisable symbols in pharmacy, whilst also signifying boldness and purpose, and aligning our brand to complement our relationship with the RPS. We believe these have been achieved and are excited to be refreshed, renewed and rebranded!” 

Find out more about Bella’s journey to becoming BPSA President in her new blog.  

RPS President, Professor Claire Anderson, said:

“The BPSA is the beating heart of the student experience, supporting and inspiring future members of the profession to be the best they can be. I’m delighted RPS is strengthening its long-term partnership with such an important organisation and look forward to developing our future plans with the BPSA Executive Team.”

The New BPSA Logo

Pestle and Mortar

The pestle and mortar have long been used as a pharmaceutical symbol in Britain and in most of Europe. As tools of traditional pharmacy, they are an easily recognisable visual tool across the pharmacy profession. 

The Serpent on the Staff

Often seen in many healthcare settings across Great Britain and the rest of the world is the serpent of Epidaurus on the staff of Aesculapius. Aesculapius, the Greek God of healing, is usually depicted carrying a staff with a snake coiled around it.