Our History

On Wednesday, June 18, 1890 an article appeared published in the Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter (later known as Chemical Market Reporter) about the formation of a Drug Trade Section of the New York Board of Trade (a local chamber of commerce). As a result, fifty inspired business leaders answered the call and united to form the Drug Trade Section of the New York Board of Trade (NYBT), laying the foundation for what would become the DCAT we know today.

They had a vision – better business relations, improved conditions in the industry, advancement of the ideals in which they believed – a common meeting ground to work out their mutual problems, share knowledge and build relationships with industry colleagues.

The Drug Trade Section operated from its headquarters in New York City. In January of 1921, the name changed to include the growing chemical industry, making it the Drug and Chemical Section of the NYBT. The association expanded again in the early 1930s to include the allied trades – welcoming distributors, packagers and transportation companies, and becoming known as the Drug, Chemical & Allied Trades Section, still under the NYBT. This changed in 1961, when DCAT received its certificate of incorporation, allowing DCAT to function as a separate, independent membership association. The name changed once more in 2003 to what it is known as today – the Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association.

DCAT has grown from its modest New York City beginnings into the premier business development association for the global biopharmaceutical/pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, comprised of over 400 member companies.

We are proud of DCAT's and our member companies' accomplishments throughout the last 125 years. Here's to continuing to adhere to the principles on which we were founded, and stressing that personal contacts are the heart of a successful organization.

DCAT's 125th Anniversary

In 2015, the DCAT organization celebrated the 125th Anniversary of its founding. The celebration of this anniversary took place during DCAT Week in March of 2015. Several 125th Anniversary commemorative projects were completed for this event, including DCAT by the Decades, an electronic publication uncovering the rich history of DCAT a few decades at a time. We invite you to view the publications below and learn more about DCAT’s history: