Félix Álvarez de la Vega
PHOTO: Manuel Castells

Professor Félix Álvarez de la Vega, the first Dean of the School of Pharmacy of the University of Navarra and one of the Spanish pioneers in the research and the development of Biopharmacokinetics and Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, passed away today at the age of 91.died today at the age of 91.

Born in Cebolla (Toledo) in 1921, he was graduate and received his PhD from the School of Pharmacy at the Complutense University of Madrid. In 1950 he obtained the Chair of Galenic Pharmacy at the University of Santiago de Compostela and four years later he joined the School of Medicine of the University of Navarra as professor of Chemistry. He was ordained a priest in 1951.

In 1964, when the School of Pharmacy was created - at that time, the fifth in Spain to be set up - he was appointed its first Dean. Among the lines of research promoted in the academic center , his interest in medicinal plants, the components of Urginea maritima Baker -such as cardiotonics, flavonoids- and the availability of pharmaceutical forms stood out .

Likewise, Dr. Álvarez de la Vega -academic of the Royal Academy of Pharmacy since 1975- directed the department de Farmacia Galénica of his School for 22 years and promoted the creation of the Pharmacy Service of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra.

26 doctoral thesis and more than 100 scientific articles
In his work professor, Professor Álvarez de la Vega directed 26 doctoral thesis , 45 thesis of licentiate degree and participated in more than 100 scientific articles for journals such as Österreichische Apotheker-Zeitung, Annales pharmaceutiques françaises and the journal Naturewhere he was one of the first professors at the University to publish a article in 1963.

On the other hand, the initiator of the pharmaceutical teaching in Navarra was partner of research of Chelsea College (London) and the School of Pharmacy (London), as well as a member of numerous transnational projects.

The University of Navarra recognized his degree program with the Gold Medal in 1995. As well as the committee General de Colegios Oficiales de Farmacéuticos and the high school Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Toledo -his homeland-, who awarded him the Silver and Honor Medals, respectively. In 2010 he received a award from the high school Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Navarra for his professional career.