History of Pharmacy

1. What do you know about the history of pharmacy?

2. When do you think ancient men first involved with pharmacy/ medicine? Any ideas?
3. Watch the video in the link below. What is the main idea presented … etc.
https://youtu.be/NjZx0YXan2k

A. Preparing to Read
You are going to read an article about History of Pharmacy. Scan the article and answer the
questions below.

1. Where did the word ‘pharmacy’ come from?

2. What were the first things used by humans for healing?

3. Who is the father of American pharmacy? What does father of American pharmacy
mean?

4. What is the story behind “staff or serpent”? Do a research if necessary

History of Pharmacy

Pharmacy refers to the health care profession that deals with both the fields of health science as well as
chemistry. It is defined as the profession of the art, science and economics of discovery and preparation
from natural and synthetic sources, drugs and non-drug materials needed for the prevention,
management and treatment of diseases in man and animals. (Par. 1)

The word “pharmacy” was coined from the Greek word “pharmakon” meaning “medicine” or “drug“.
Therefore, a pharmacist is a “medicine or drug man“. While the classes of professionals legally permitted
to prescribe medications are physicians, dentists, veterinary doctors and senior registered nurses,
pharmacists are required by law to be experts in the preparation, preservation, distribution, and
handling of drugs. (Par. 2)
Ancient methods used in the treatment of diseases
Disease continues to trail man since the “Fall of Man” and he has continued to seek ways of curing
them. Early studies show that man used clay, mud, leaves and supernatural means for alleviating
symptoms of various diseases. Women were reported to be earliest gatherers of medicinal plants but
the practice was taken up by men in the society. Below were ancient methods used in the treatment of
diseases; (Par.3)

1. Empirical medical knowledge

This knowledge of medicine was based on observations and experience and not on scientific knowledge.
This led to the discoveries of liquorice for cough in Babylonia, rhubarb roots as purgative in China and
dried blueberries as anti-diarrhoea in Syria. (Par. 4)

2. Roles of demons and spirits in disease

The use of incantations, charms, and herbs in “curing” diseases perceived to be spiritual was common in
ancient practice of medicine. Also, use of foul smelling urine and dungs were believed to drive away evil
spirits. (Par.5)

3. Resemblance (Signature) theory

As man’s curiosity grew, he began to link causative and curative agents and came up with the idea that a
symptom of a disease is an indication that a plant or plant part will be effective for its treatment. It was
more psychological than scientific. Examples include worm-like roots for treating worm infestation,
heart-shaped leaves of Melissa for treating heart diseases, yellow juice of celandine for treating
jaundice. (Par. 6)

Though the ancient man’s quest for solution to disease was primitive and non-scientific, he had a
measure of success motivated by observations, assumptions, and spiritism. (Par. 7)
Contributions of ancient nations to pharmacy and
medicine
Some notable nations contributed to the development of the medical profession in the early times.
Important amongst them are

Mesopotamia (2600 BC) – These people were credited to be the first to put medical knowledge in
writing. Their medical discoveries ranged from oils, spices, plant extract, animal parts and sometimes
spiritual incantations.(Par.8)

Chinese (2000 BC) – The Chinese believed that diseases resulted from the imbalance in forces acting
on humans and animals, thus produced herbal drugs with “spiritual” effects. They were credited to be
first users of podophyllum, rhubarb, ginseng, cinnamon etc. (Par. 9)

Egyptians (2900 BC) – The Egyptians achieved significant progress in medicinal knowledge and were
credited with discoveries of various dosage forms namely decoction, enemas, infusions, inhalations,
lotions etc. They also had plant drugs such as acacia, onions, aloe, castor oil, opium etc. They prepared
drugs with mortar and pestle, hand mills and weighing balances etc. (Par. 10)

Greeks (1000 B. C.) – At the turn of the millennium, the Greeks had taken over the knowledge, starting
with superstition but later turned to intellectual and rational use of drugs. “During the superstition era,
Asklepios was believed to impact healing by touching one with his staff or serpent. His daughter, Hygeia,
was also believed to have a healing portion and these emanated as the international symbol of the
pharmacy profession”. Notable Greek philosophers that contributed to the development of the
profession include Hippocrates, Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Galenus, and Pythagoras. (Par.11)

Development of pharmacy from modern Europe and

America
Pharmacy profession experienced a vast growth in Europe especially with the evolution of new study
areas like biochemistry, microbiology, and biology. The 19th century welcomed the discovery of
important alkaloids such as morphine, quinine, and emetine. Notable contributors are highlighted
below;(Par.12)

Paracelsus (1493 – 1541 A.D., Switzerland): regarded as the reformer of medicine and foundation of
biochemistry. He declared that “all drugs are poison, the difference is the dose”. He also introduced the
extraction of secondary metabolites from medicinal herbs. (Par. 13)
Carl Scheele (1743 – 1786 A.D., Switzerland): a phytochemist of great repute. He isolated elements
like manganese, molybdenum, and tungsten. He also discovered oxygen, chlorine, nitroglycerine, and
glycerine. (Par. 14)

Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1897, France): he worked mainly on alcohol and produced vaccines for
chickenpox, cholera, anthrax, and rabies. (Par. 15)

Robert Koch (1843 – 1910, Germany): he discovered the cause of anthrax (B. anthracis) and
tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). He developed different medium for culturing microorganisms. (Par.16)

Alexander Flemming (1881 – 1995, Scotland): he was noted for his discovery of penicillin and his
research in antibiotics. (Par.17)

These men shaped the atmosphere and further development of the pharmacy profession in Europe
while their counterpart in the United States of America with great contributions were Louis Herbert,
John Winthrop, Christopher Marshall and William Procter (Father of American Pharmacy). (Par. 18)

The future of pharmacy

The trend of pharmacy practice shows that the practice is becoming more patient-oriented and no
longer product-based. The role of the pharmacist has shifted from the classical “lick, stick and pour”
dispensary role to being an integrated member of the health care team directly involved in patient care.
This challenge has brought about the emergence of clinical pharmacy in the curriculum and the
introduction of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.) programme to train clinically oriented pharmacists
who will aid in providing rational pharmaceutical drug services. (Par. 19)

Vocabulary
Find the words in the article that are similar to the definitions below

1. The act of stopping something bad from happening (n) Par.1

2. To create (a new word or phrase) that other people begin to use (v) Par.2

3. To officially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, diet, etc.) as a remedy or treatment (v)
Par.2

4. To reduce the pain or trouble of (something) (v) Par.3

5. A medicine or food that causes the bowels to empty (n) Par.4

6. A series of words used to make something magic happen (n) Par.5

7. A large number of insects, rats, etc. living in a place where they are not wanted, often causing
damage or disease (n) Par.6

8. A heavy, deep bowl in which seeds, spices, etc., are pounded or crushed with a heavy tool. (n)
Par.7

9. Used to prevent or cure disease or to relieve pain. (adj) Par.7

10. A procedure in which liquid is forced into the intestines through the anus in order to make solid
waste pass from the body. (n) Par.7

11. A concentrated liquid produced by boiling a substance, usually part of a plant to be used as
medicine. (n) Par. 7

12. A serious disease that affects animals (such as cattle and sheep) and sometimes people. (n) Par.8

A Closer Look
1. Who were the first gatherers of medicinal plants?

2. What was empirical medical knowledge derived from?

3. Which item was not used in ancient practice of medicine?

a. celandine
b. quinine
c. charms

4. Which one was not way of ancient’s men quest for solution?
a. hyothesis
b. spiritualism
c. rationalism

5. What is the symbol of pharmacy according to paragraph 11?

a. The bowl of Hygeia and the serpent
b. Asklepios heals by touching one with his staff or serpent
c. The bowl of Hygeia and the unicorn

6. Paracelsus
a. Regarded as the founder of medicine and biochemistry
b. Stated that “all drugs are poison, the difference is the dose”
c. Concluded the deduction of secondary metabolites from medicinal herbs.

7. The pharmacy practice is more….

a. lick, stick and pour
b. product-oriented
c. patient related

Discussion
Research
A. Work in groups. Choose an infectious disease among chickenpox, cholera, anthrax,
tuberculosis and rabies. Do a brief research according to various aspects below and take
notes. Inform your groupmates about it. Listen to your friends and take notes about their
presentation.
1. The nature of disease

2. History of the disease

3. The invention of cure

4. Interesting statistics and facts

B. What kind of interesting facts did you learn from your friends?