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Pharmacy History paper on Henry Milton Wellcome

Introduction

Pharmacology is the scientific study of the impacts of drugs and chemicals on living organisms.

In this context, a drug is any chemical or natural substance that affects the normal function of the

biological system (Hitner et al., 2021, p. 54). Medical research on pharmacology requires sufficient

knowledge of the biological system. It involves the molecular analysis of receptors to

manufacture chemicals for particular cellular signalling and metabolic pathways by directly

affecting sites. Therefore, studying the life of Henry Wellcome, ranging from personal and

professional career, achievements and contributions to the pharmacy field, will be integral in

advancing my career in medical science. Hence, the paper discusses the historical pharmacy

journey of Henry Wellcome.

Life History

Henry Wellcome was born in Wisconsin in 1853 (McKie, 2018). Henry has brought many

innovations in the pharmacy, including tablets (Mckie, 2018). The father of Henry was a farmer

who went bankrupt after his crops failed in 1861. The family migrated to Garden City, located in

Minnesota. Henry father became an Adventist preacher in the New city while Wellcome worked

for his uncle, who ran a surgery and drug store. Mckie (2018) argues it was indeed the wild west.

After just a year, Henry's family settled in the garden city; there was a bloody uprising by the

Sioux and bloodier put-down by the army. It was the first scenario Wellcome endured in the new

culture. However, it was an educational one for Henry as after Sioux besieged Garden city, he

led a group of children who melted and cast rifle bullets for defending settlers and helping his

uncle to take care of the injured victims (McKie, 2018). As a result, Henry acquired an assimilated
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fascination with medical treatments and interacting with people with diverse cultural

backgrounds.

Personal and professional characteristics/Awards

It was until 1871 when Henry joined Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. During this period, the

medical field was emerging as an ethical and scientifically dynamic business. Qualified health

professionals only administered drugs. Wellcome's genius ability made him realize the amount of

money gained from venturing into a medicine course (McKie, 2018). The eagerness of Henry to

know how products should be marketed made a name for himself a first-class medical salesman

prompting US pharmacist Burroughs to establish a pharmaceutical business in Britain.

Wellcome was appointed in the UK biologist Henry Dale where he won the 1936 Nobel prize for

medicine. Henry revealed that the chemical acetylcholine plays an essential role in the

propagation of nerve impulses. Its work had critical medical implications.

After the second world war, the practice and nature of the medical field had transformed beyond

recognition. Most of Wellcome professional contributions in the pharmacy field came under the

formulation and production of capsules, pills, vaccines and scientific treatments. Also, Wellcome

participated in the standardization of dosages, establishing laboratories for drug research, and

developing global manufacturing and distribution to support the pharmaceutical industry. In

1894, Wellcome launched a Physiological Research Laboratories for the production of the

diphtheria antitoxin. Also, Wellcome Tropical Laboratories were launched in Khartoum to

develop a remedy for malaria.

Wellcome innovated antitoxins for gas gangrene, standardization of insulin, tetanus, and

diphtheria. Besides, Henry turned in a knight of the realm. He contributed to establishing trust
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for medical research. Due to his work in medical research, Wellcome attained awards such as

Remington medal in American Pharmaceutical Association, silver trophy at Milwaukee county

pharmacists, certificate of merit at Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, and

Honorably Corresponding Doctor in the college of Doctors of Madrid among other honours and

awards.

Besides, after the death of Silas, Henry took complete control of the company and started

marketing pharmaceuticals with a substantial fancy. Wellcome invented tabloid, which was a

combination of both alkaloid and tablet. Besides, Wellcome invented lightweight medicine

chests. Likewise, Wellcome was beneficial in society as an event organizer. He made a network

with politicians and celebrities such as Wilde, which served as an achievement (McKie, 2018).

Wellcome personal and professional characteristics entail a person determined to be a winner to

help forthcoming generations. Wellcome was driven and every time wanted to prove himself.

Henry’s obsession as a collector creates a wonder about his personality. He was dishonest as he

married Syrie, a 22-year lady, while he remained a bachelor for forty-seven years. Therefore,

Wellcome lied about his age.

Nevertheless, Wellcome divorced after he was accused of having an affair with an American

financial. The breakup with their wife reals Henry's spirit of intolerance. Henry always favoured

fulfilling his interests.

Welcome Trust Foundation

Wellcome will confer the share of his Burroughs-Well pharmaceutical company's intact share

capital to individual trustees charged using it for human and animal health. Wellcome trust

foundation legacy to the late Henry Wellcome is the largest world's charitable program
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supporting medical research (Wynter and Unwin, 2009, p.3633) . After the death of Henry, the

income generated from the foundation was used to finance pharmacology departs to educate and

train future medical researchers. After being sold to GSK, the foundation turned into one of the

biggest charities in the United Kingdom, financing biomedical science, bioethics, technology

transfer, and public participation.

Regarding Wellcome contributions in the pharmacology, Burroughs Wellcome fund was

launched a United States’ brank of the Wellcome Trust pharmaceutical enterprises 1993.

Wellcome Trust foundation gifted BWF $400 to operate as a private and fully independent

company specializing in biomedical research (Grant and Allen, 1999, p. 203). Besides, Wellcome

Trust continues to support medical development through the establishment of training programs

for future doctors.

Conclusion

In essence, Henry Well was self-determined and driven towards proving himself in the medical

field. His contributions in the medical field, such as the innovation of antitoxins for diphtheria,

tetanus, and standardization of insulin, among many others, cannot be ignored. He made a lot of

achievements in the medical field. Besides, Wellcome ventured into medical research throughout

his life. Also, Borough-Wellcome company has supportive innovating thinking and many

developments in the pharmaceutical business. After his death, many medical research institutes

and foundations have developed to support and continue his work in medical research.
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References

Grant, J., and L. Allen. “Evaluating High Risk Research: An Assessment of the Wellcome

Trust’s Sir Henry Wellcome Commemorative Awards for Innovative Research.”

Research Evaluation, vol. 8, no. 3, 1999, pp. 201–04. Crossref,

doi:10.3152/147154499781777513.

Hitner, Henry et al. Pharmacology: An Introduction. 8th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2021.

Launer, John. “Henry Wellcome: The Man Who Made Medicine.” Postgraduate Medical

Journal, 1 Aug. 2017, pmj.bmj.com/content/93/1102/507.

McKie, Robin. “Henry Wellcome: From Backwoods Boy to Medicine Man.” The Guardian, 22

Mar. 2018, www.theguardian.com/science/2011/jan/09/henry-wellcome-collection-

medicine-man.

Wynter, Erika de, and Richard Unwin. “Wellcome Trust/EBI 2009 Meeting Report -

Perspectives in Stem Cell Proteomics 22–23 March 2009, Wellcome Trust Conference

Centre, Hinxton, UK.” PROTEOMICS, vol. 9, no. 14, 2009, pp. 3630–34. Crossref,

doi:10.1002/pmic.200900278.