$1,000,000 Sought in U.S. for School of Pharmacy in Israel

“A dire shortage of pharmacists in Israel makes it imperative that the widest possible support be given to held perfect the newly established School of Pharmacy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem,” a distinguished leader of Israel’s pharmacists declared here today.

Speaking at the headquarters of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, Dr. Joshua Kohiberg, president of the Israel Pharmacists Association, said he and his colleagues would be most happy to welcome American pharmacists in Israel, “but since this is not likely to happen, we must bolster the University’s work in training qualified druggists and other pharmacy experts in Israel.”

Dr. Kohlberg is in the United States in behalf of the $1,000,000 campaign being conducted by the American Friends for Hebrew University’s new School of Pharmacy. He will address audiences in key cities and university centers.

“We have 100 immediate openings for trained pharmacists and more opportunities are developing daily. Unfortunately, the University’s School of Pharmacy can turn out but 15-20 new graduates annually with our present facilities. We need many more and hope you will help us bridge the gap caused by this shortage,” Dr. Kohlberg said.

The Israel scientist explained that the shortage of pharmacists stems from factors which do not apply elsewhere. “Our reservoir of foreign-trained experts has not been augmented by immigration in recent years,” he asserted. “The average age of Israel’s pharmacists is 59 years. This aging group must be added to at once Otherwise, the country’s health and education standards will suffer. We need pharmacists to compound drugs and for research in our laboratories and pharmaceutical factories. We also need qualified experts for teaching and government posts.”