Historical Background of Pharmacy Practice

 Historical Background of Pharmacy Practice

• The history of pharmacy as an independent science is relatively young.

• Until the birth of pharmacy as an independent science, there is a historical evolution from antiquity to the present day that marks the course of this science, always connected to the medicine


• Although people have been using medicinal substances to treat themselves for as far back as there have been people, the pharmacy profession has more recent origins. Nevertheless, its roots can be found over 4000 years ago


• Pharmacy’s roots

 The pharmacy profession can be traced back at least as far as the Sumerian population, living in modern day Iraq. From around 4000 BC, they used medicinal plants such as liquorice, mustard, myrrh, and opium

 The Ancient Egyptians had specific preparers of medicine, known as Pastophor

• The future of pharmacy


 In the coming decades, pharmacists are expected to become more integral within the health care system. Rather than simply dispensing medication, pharmacists are increasingly expected to be compensated for their patient care skills.

In particular, Medication Therapy Management (MTM) includes the clinical services that pharmacists can provide for their patients. Such services include the thorough analysis of all medication (prescription, non-prescription, and herbals) currently being taken by an individual.

 The result is a reconciliation of medication and patient education resulting in increased patient health outcomes and decreased costs to the health care system

 Below are some pharmacy symbols used in different areas of pharmacy business