Pozycja społeczno-zawodowa farmaceutów pracowników w Polsce (1918–1939) – teoria a praktyka

Abstract

Socio-professional Position of Pharmacy Employees in Poland (1918–1939) – Theory and Practice The article aims to depict the socio-professional position of pharmacy employees in the Second Polish Republic (1918–1939) and the factors which influenced their status. In the interwar period, reforms of the pharmacists’ education system were implemented, the office of the provincial pharmaceutical inspector was introduced, and bills were adopted to settle the particulars of the profession. Thus, the foundations were created to depart from the former semi-artisanal character of pharmaceutical practice towards an academic and independent profession. This had a positive impact on the social and professional position of pharmacy employees. In theory, they were equal to their employers and representatives of other liberal professions. However, the reforms had awakened their ambitions and expectations. The reality was different, especially during the great economic crisis (1929–1933/35). The salaries of professional pharmacy personnel, especially in the eastern provinces, were not high. Instead of sufficient remuneration, people were still offered – as in the 19th century – housing and board at a pharmacy. The burning problem was unemployment, and the employers did not respect the working time regulations. All this frustrated the employees. Their presumably high socio-professional status was not always reflected in real life.