The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP), modeled—at least in concept—after the Collége de pharmacie in Paris, was aided by European talent in its early, formative years.  Elias Durand, who had served as "pharmacien of the Grand Army of Napoleon I," set up shop in Philadelphia in 1825, and "...in connection with the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, immediately exerted a strong foreign influence on American pharmacy." According to William Procter, Jr., Durand "directly and indirectly had much to do with the introduction of scientific pharmacy into Philadelphia."  Without teaching at the college, Durand still had a big impact by spreading new findings about medicinal plants, making "medicinal chemicals" never before created in the U.S., by training apprentices, like Augustine Duhamel, who went on to make important contributions and publish in the college journal, and by serving as a role model for foundational figures like Procter.
Hunsberger cites the founding of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) as "the first step forward in the development of a system of pharmaceutical practice in the United States," with the 1821 "meeting of apothecaries...held in Carpenters Hall" (where the Continental Association had been signed) to set up the first formal college of pharmacy and first pharmacists association (the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy) in North America the seminal founding event.  On March 13, 1821, "Sixty-eight pharmacists signed the Constitution of the first pharmaceutical association in the United States," with the symbolism of the Carpenters' Hall backdrop undeniable: American pharmacy would have a constitution, following in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers and their constitutional framework.  The PCP constitution included a strict code of ethics that would expel anyone from the college who "adulterated" medications or knowingly sold "articles of that character," and provided for a "committee of inspection" to verify the purity, safety and effectiveness of medicines, and a "committee of equity" to arbitrate disputes between member pharmacists.
The college, which was founded as an association to advance the discipline of pharmacy not just a university, quickly became a game-changer: in 1824 they published "carefully determined formulas" for the fabrication of (formerly) "secret-formula" patent medicines previously imported from the UK, an essential step toward self-sufficient pharmaceutical manufacturing in the U.S.
The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy also aided the rise of the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), which formed at a founding convention congregated in the Hall of the College, October 6 to 8, 1852.  Daniel B. Smith, who had long been the PCPs president—ultimately from 1829 to 1854—was elected the APhAs first president at the founding convention, and William Procter, Jr. the first secretary.