1980: The World Health Organization declares the eradication of smallpox around the world. The single last natural case occurs in Somalia in 1977. Reference

1980: CAPT Vincent J. Fierro becomes the first Chief Pharmacist at United States Coast Guard (USCG) Headquarters and serves until 1985. In the summer and fall of 1984, there are six pharmacy officers within the USCG; five established RPh billets while the sixth RPh is a USPHS Liaison. Reference 1 or Reference 2

1981: The Bureau of Medical Services hospitals are closed. Pharmacists are released and the number of pharmacists serving in United States Public Health Service(USPHS)decreases significantly during this year (the number of pharmacists drops from 582 to 452). Reference

1981: RADM Allen J. Brands becomes the first person appointed to the position of Chief Pharmacy Officer. RADM Brands is the second pharmacist to be appointed to flag rank. Reference

1981: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is reported to Center for Disease Control and Prevention as a new disease when symptoms are noted in many young men in New York and Los Angeles. These symptoms are not usually seen in people with a healthy immune system. Reference

1982: The National Institute of Health Clinical Center Pharmacy Department establishes the clinical pharmacokinetics research laboratory to measure drug serum concentrations for drug development research. Reference.

1983: The Orphan Drug Act is passed to allow the Food and Drug Administration to “promote research and marketing of drugs needed for treating rare diseases.” Reference

1983/1984: The establishment of the Indian Health Service Clinical Pharmacy Training Program (CPTP – a three day program), which is aimed to “enhance the pharmacist’s ability to screen the patient’s health record for drug therapy appropriateness and to manage patients with chronic diseases.” Reference 1 or Reference 2 / First Clinical Pharmacy Training Team

1986: "The Childhood Vaccine Act requires patient information on vaccines and gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to recall biologics, and authorizes civil penalties." Reference

1986: CDR John Becher is hired by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to update and organize a program for distribution of drugs and biologicals for rare diseases. He is the first pharmacist hired by the agency. This program later becomes the CDC Drug Service. Reference.

1987: The Revitalization of the Commissioned Corps begins under Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. As part of this revitalization, minorities and women are actively recruited to join the Corps. Reference

1987: RADM Richard M. Church becomes the Chief Pharmacy Officer as well as the first Native American to hold this position. Reference

1987: The Chief Pharmacist at the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta and Federal Correction Institution in Oakdale is cited for bravery in a hostage situation during the inmate riots. Reference 1 or Reference 2

1987: The Food and Drug Administration approves Retrovir (zidovudine or AZT) as the first antiretroviral drug for treatment of AIDS. Since then, 32 anti-HIV medications have been approved by the FDA to combat the disease around the world. Reference

1988: The Indian Health Service becomes an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Reference

1988: "The Administration Act of 1988 officially establishes the Food and Drug Administration as an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services with a Commissioner of Food and Drugs appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and broadly spells out the responsibilities of the Secretary and the Commissioner for research, enforcement, education, and information." Reference

1988: CDR Bill Matthews becomes the first Chief Pharmacist at the Bureau of Prisons. Reference.

1988: The National Institute of Health Clinical Center Pharmacy Department provides a community pharmacist training program on AIDS education at a large drugstore chain. Reference.

1988: "The Prescription Drug Marketing Act bans the diversion of prescription drugs from legitimate commercial channels. Congress finds that the resale of such drugs leads to the distribution of mislabeled, adulterated, sub-potent, and counterfeit drugs to the public. The new law requires drug wholesalers to be licensed by the states; restricts re-importation from other countries; and bans sale, trade or purchase of drug samples, and traffic or counterfeiting of redeemable drug coupons." Reference

1988: The completion of the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for pharmacy which serves as a model for today’s pharmaceutical care. Pharmacists in Indian Health Service have used these standards to provide pharmaceutical care for the Native Americans. Standards of Practice Team or Reference

1989: Commissioned officers, including pharmacists, are deployed to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Hugo and the California earthquake. Reference