The idea of forming IPSF came in 1948 from then-Secretary of the British Pharmaceutical Students' Association, Stephen B. Challen, during the 6th Annual Congress of BPSA.

The Constitution of the Federation was agreed and signed on the 25th of August 1949, during the Inaugural Conference in London, and marking the organisation's founding date.

The 8 founding countries were Austria, Australia, Denmark (also voting for Finland, Norway, and Sweden), Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

The Federation runs several projects during the year, mainly on Pharmacy Education, Professional Development, Public Health and on Student Exchange.

Information regarding the posters, such as size, format and subject are shared with the Contact Persons and in the call for abstracts prior the event.

The purpose of this event is to increase pharmacy students' awareness of the importance of the pharmacist's role in direct patient care.

The Compounding Event has four main objectives: The CE generally has two levels of difficulty — beginner and advanced — and typically begins with an introductory workshop.

Following the workshop, students will be given a case and will be challenged to determine the best method to compound the formulation and prepare a finished product.

It aims to provide insight on the daily functions of pharmacists from various sectors, and to promote awareness of the pharmacy profession at all levels, from students and recent graduates, to the general public.

The IPSF Leaders in Training program aims to impart the necessary leadership and management skills important for taking up professional roles in the future.

The main objective of the LIT program is to equip participants with the skills needed to effectively take on roles of responsibility within the Federation as well as in their professional career.

The IPSF TDC provides participants with a background on experience-based learning and equips them with the necessary skills set to prepare and conduct training sessions.

In 1987, the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated December 1 to raise awareness for of HIV and for the AIDS pandemic.

During the campaign, IPSF members put their knowledge into practice in order to inform people about diabetes and the risk factors that can accelerate and the steps that can be taken to limit the development and progression of the disease.

As part of this Campaign, IPSF participates in Healthy Living activities on World Health Day each April 7.

IPSF organizes initiatives and strongly advocates for this campaign in order to raise awareness about tuberculosis.

According to a WHO announcement, the existence of substandard, spurious, falsely labelled, falsified and counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products is an unacceptable risk to public health.

IPSF in collaboration with other stakeholders and organisations tends to act against the unlimited growing of fake medicines by raising awareness and advocacy actions.

It encourages its participants to raise awareness of healthcare systems, advocacy campaigns and events for drug disposal in community pharmacies.

By participating in the Vampire Cup, members are motivated to compete in inter organisational competitions, to promote international relationships, and most importantly to save lives.

The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Assembly, and to advise and facilitate its work.

The selected members are then oriented and trained on how they can actively participate and effectively engage in deliberations, discussions and events, in order for IPSF to establish new partnerships and sustain existing connections with various stakeholders, and to develop collaborative projects and programs.

Student Exchange Programme (SEP) is IPSF's largest project, offering professional pharmacy internships.

The head of the organisation, the “Chairperson of World Congress/Regional Symposium” is co-opted in the Executive Committee/Regional Working Group for the term of the office in which the event will be held.

The first World Congress held outside of Europe was in the African Regional Office in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1974.

Every World Congress hosts these events and activities: The main activity of the World Congress is the General Assembly, which holds the elections of the Executive Committee, the approval of reports, the changes to the official documents and the other various matters of the members or Executive Committee.

Any such organisation facing financial difficulties, if awarded a grant, may have their annual membership fees waived for the year.

If awarded, the organisation is expected to complete at least one IPSF project, excluding SEP, in the 12 months following the receipt of the grant.

Students intending to attend the IPSF World Congress or one of the Regional Symposia should submit an application to the Development Fund Committee.

The criteria for a successful application generally focuses on financial need including, but not limited to, cost of travel, visa, registration fee, personal resources, and World Bank economic classification of applying member's country.