Biochemist's Day or Biochemistry Day in Argentina

Biochemist's Day (Día del Bioquímico) is commemorated in Argentina on June 15 to commemorate the birth of Dr. Juan Antonio Sánchez, who was the driving force behind the establishment of a biochemical profession with a strong scientific and professional basis. The date was established at an assembly of the Argentine Biochemical Confederation in 1961.

On November 28, 1919, after an extensive presentation by Dr. Juan Antonio Sánchez (Pharmacist, Doctor of Chemistry and Professor of Analytical Chemistry of Medicines) to the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, the project presented by him was approved and thus a new profession emerged: Biochemistry. Subsequently, in an Assembly of the Argentine Biochemical Confederation in 1961, it was proposed to establish the Biochemist's Day and the date of Dr. Sánchez's birth, June 15, was chosen.

In a country like Argentina, where it is customary to commemorate the death dates of the mentors of ideas, deeds and projects, it is encouraging that biochemists have chosen for themselves the day of the birth of Juan Antonio Sánchez, of whom it was said that he liked to celebrate with exultation every anniversary of his arrival in the world.

According to the website of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of the University of Buenos Aires, it is generally held in today's medical field that at least 70% of diagnoses are based on some laboratory study. And it is now unthinkable to imagine a health care team without the presence of a biochemist.