History of Pharmacy and Healing Practices

History of Pharmacy

• Pharmacy's history traces a journey starting with ancient practices.
• Early humans learned about healing through observation of animals.
• Simple remedies—like cool water, leaves, or mud—were initially used.
• Knowledge was refined through trial and error.

Pharmacy in Ancient Babylon

• Ancient Mesopotamia saw the earliest apothecary practices.
• Around 2600 B.C., practitioners were priest-pharmacists-physicians.
• Clay tablets documented symptoms, prescriptions, and directions for compounding medicines.
• Ancient Babylonian practices also included invocations to the gods.

Pharmacy in Ancient China

• Chinese pharmacy emerged around 2000 B.C.
• Emperor Shen Nung investigated the medicinal properties of hundreds of different herbs, barks, and roots.
• The Pen T-Sao recorded 365 medicinal plants.
• The Pa Kua was a mathematical design symbolizing creation and life.

Ancient Egypt: Days of the Papyrus Ebers

• Egyptian medicine flourished around 2900 B.C., as evidenced by the Ebers Papyrus (1500 B.C).
• This collection included 800 prescriptions and 700 referenced drugs.
• Roles in early Egyptian pharmacy included gatherers, preparers, and heads of pharmacists.

Theophrastus: Father of Botany

• Theophrastus (300 B.C.) was a key Greek philosopher and natural scientist, recognized as the "father of botany."
• His writings accurately detailed the medicinal qualities and properties of herbs.

The Royal Toxicologist-Mithridates VI

• Mithridates VI (100 B.C.), a king of Pontus, Rome, was a master of poisoning and antidote creation.
• He tested various poisons on both himself and prisoners to find antidotes.
• Mithridates VI developed a "universal antidote" formula known as Mithridatum.

Terra Sigillata (Sealed Earth)

• Terra Sigillata, a therapeutic agent, originated in Lemnos circa 500 B.C.
• The clay was processed and formed into pastille form.
• The clay was dug in the presence of officials, sealed and dried.

Dioscorides: A Scientist Looks at Drugs

• Pedanios Dioscorides (first century A.D.) extensively studied Materia Medica during his service with Roman armies.
• His observations and writings on medicinal qualities and properties of herbs were highly regarded for centuries; considered basic science until the 16th century.

Galen, Experimenter in Drug Compounding

• Galen (130–200 A.D.) was a prominent physician in Rome, who practiced and taught Pharmacy and medicine.
• Galen's principles and compounding techniques influenced and were largely followed, for over 1500 years across the western world.
• Galen originated the formula for a cold cream.

Monastic Pharmacy

• During the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved and transmitted knowledge of pharmacy and medicine.
• Early pharmacists were trained in monasteries as early as the 7th century.
• Monastic scribes copied and translated existing manuscripts.

Islam & Pharmacy

• Islamic scholars significantly contributed to pharmacy's advancements in the medieval era.
• They translated, improved and added to previous works and improved existing practices and developed new knowledge.
• Islamic scholars developed accurate methodologies for compounding remedies and classified medicinal herbs.

First Apothecary Shop

• The first privately-owned drug store emerged in Baghdad around the 8th century.
• Greco-Roman knowledge was preserved and expanded through the development of various remedies and medicinal liquids including syrups, confections and conserves.

Ibn Sina - The "Persian Galen"

• Ibn Sina (980-1037 A.D.), a Persian polymath, was recognized for significant contributions to pharmaceutical knowledge and medicine during the 11th century.
• His teachings were accepted as authority in the west until the 17th century.

Arabian Pharmacy Teaching

• Extensive work and contributions were made by Arabian scholars to improve existing knowledge and develop new practices.
• They accurately outlined and documented medicine, health related diseases, pharmacy, and materia medica.

Separation of Pharmacy & Medicine

• Around 1240 A.D., pharmacy in Sicily and southern Italy became separate from medicine.
• Frederick II of Hohenstaufen helped standardize and established regulations governing pharmacy practice.

First Pharmacopoeia

• The Nuovo Receptario, an initial pharmacopoeia, was developed in Florence in 1498.
• This collaborative effort between apothecaries and medical societies set a standard for medicinal preparation and dispensing.

Society of Apothecaries

• The Society of Apothecaries was formed in 17th-century England—a result of much effort from pharmaceutical practitioners.
• This society played a key role in regulating and standardizing the knowledge, use, and practice of the profession.

The Pharmacopoeia Comes of Age

• The First United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) was published in 1820.
• The USP faced challenges with interest and participation from physicians in the mid 1800s and was revived and expanded with the aid of pharmacists driven by the efforts of Dr. Edward R. Squibb and other key figures.

Introduction of Pharmacy to Malaysia

• Pharmacy developed in Malaysia, beginning in the mid-20th century with regulatory legislation and establishment of various laboratories and agencies.

Pharmaceutical Control Era

• Recognition of the expanding role of pharmaceutical service in the health sector during the 1970s–1980s led to the establishment of new standards and the development of regulations.
• Agencies dedicated to control of pharmaceuticals were established in the mid-1970s.

Pharmacist & Practice Era

• 20th and 21st-century trends, such as the establishment of boards in Malaysia, enforcement of pharmacy act regulations, the creation of regulatory agencies, and the rise of pharmaceutical care and clinical pharmacy practices, mark the evolution of the pharmacist profession.

Yesterday, Today & Future

• This section outlines the evolution of pharmacy through various periods, highlighting developments in areas such as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical pharmacy.
• The table charts the growth of various aspects from "spiritual" to advanced biotechnology in the areas of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics.

Pharmacist & Individualised Therapeutics

• This section outlines the historical progression of the pharmacist's role in preparing and dispensing and dispensing of medications.
• The pharmacist's expanding role—from a compounder to a more personalized care provider—is highlighted.

4th Industrial Revolution Challenges

• This section highlights the need for adaptation and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector to remain competitive in the face of emerging technological trends.

Digital Transformation & Adherence

• Digital tools and technologies facilitate more precise therapeutic interventions.
• This section highlights the evolution of digital technologies for improved patient compliance.

Ingestible Pill Sensor

• Ingestible sensors provide automated data collection and reporting of medication intake to healthcare providers, enhancing patient care and improving compliance.

Wearable Technology

• Wearable technologies, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, can track vital signs and medication adherence.
• They provide instant feedback to patients, facilitating communication with healthcare providers.

Mobile Applications

• This section focuses on mobile apps that facilitate patient management, medication information, and communication with healthcare providers.
• Mobile apps make it easier to monitor and manage patient medication records.

Smart Pill Containers

• Smart pill containers enhance medication adherence by providing alerts and reminders, and transmit medication usage information to healthcare providers.
• Your pharmacy and doctor are updated when refills are needed or dosing errors occur.