History of Pharmacy and Key Drug Discoveries

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of pharmacology?

The distribution of medication

The study of drug interactions

The study of medicine (correct)

The treatment of disease through therapy

Which of the following disciplines is NOT mentioned as being interrelated with pharmacology?

Chemistry

Pathophysiology

Anatomy

Psychology (correct)

What term describes the use of medicine to treat diseases?

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacotherapeutics (correct)

Pharmacogenetics

Which of the following healthcare providers is explicitly noted as having the ability to prescribe drugs?

Physicians Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of improper application of pharmacology?

Devastating health consequences Signup and view all the answers

Who are the discoverers of insulin?

Fredrick Banting and Charles Best Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of the drug derived from the foxglove plant?

Manage congestive heart failure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following discoveries is associated with hypothermia?

Wilfred Bigelow Signup and view all the answers

From which source is morphine derived?

Opium poppy Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is commonly used in drug formulation?

Zinc Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of vitamin C derived from rose hips?

Boost immune function Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following discoveries occurred in 1967?

First beta blocker Signup and view all the answers

What is the main use of the drug derived from autumn crocus?

Treatment of gout Signup and view all the answers

What major characteristic distinguishes pharmacy from medicine?

Pharmacy involves a trial and error method in drug development. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following decades marked the requirement for pharmacists to have a university education in Canada?

Seventeenth century Signup and view all the answers

Which field has been critical to the progression of pharmacy over the last 200 to 300 years?

Drug discoveries and vaccinations Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'therapeutic drugs' primarily refer to?

Substances used for treatment of diseases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the evolving role of pharmacy technicians?

Pharmacy technicians provide support and play an important role in medication management. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is primarily concerned with the study of drug action on biological systems?

Pharmacology Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of biologics compared to traditional drugs?

Biologics are derived from living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Knowledge of pharmacology is particularly important for which group of professionals?

Pharmacy technicians Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes biologics from traditional therapeutic drugs?

Biologics are naturally produced by the body, animals, or microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the role of pharmacists?

Pharmacists advise patients on symptoms and drug-related issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which role does a pharmacy technician NOT fulfill?

Performing medical diagnoses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of pharmaceutics?

The science of pharmacy and drug formulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a natural alternative therapy?

Chemically synthesized medications. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with traditional therapeutic drugs?

They are routinely used by healthcare providers. Signup and view all the answers

In the pharmacy team, what is a primary responsibility of pharmacy assistants?

Providing support in administrative tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a registered pharmacy technician?

They have a regulated health professional status. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The History of Pharmacy

Pharmacy has a long history and spans thousands of years, its development is closely linked with human evolution and the trial and error method of finding solutions.
The 17th century demanded better documentation and basic testing, and research was initiated in the New World (including Canada).
In Canada, pharmacists were required to have a university education to practice.

Key Drug Discoveries

In the last 200 to 300 years, many crucial drugs and vaccines were discovered.
Insulin (1921) was discovered by Frederick Banting and Charles Best, while Pablum (1930) was a discovery of Fredrick Tisdall, Theodore Drake, and Alan Brown, both major Canadian discoveries.
Other notable discoveries include the external cardiac pacemaker (1950) by John Hopps and Wilfred Bigelow, the cobalt bomb (1951) by Harold Johns, and hypothermia (1952) also by Wilfred Bigelow, all significant developments in the Canadian healthcare landscape.

Sources of Drugs

Many modern drugs have been derived from natural sources like plants and animals:
- Plants: Foxglove (Digoxin), Belladonna(Atropine & Scopolamine), Autumn crocus (Colchicine), Bushy scrub (Ephedrine & Ephedra), Yams (Estrogen replacement therapy), Daffodil bulbs (Galantamine), Rose hips (Vitamin C), Willow bark (Aspirin), Cinchona bark (Quinine), Opium poppy (Morphine), Periwinkle (Vincristine), Snakeroot (Reserpine)
- Animals: Dried thyroid gland tissue (Thyroid supplements), Pregnant mares’ urine (Premarin), Ground up pancreas of cows or pigs (Insulin), Purified fat of processed sheep’s wool (Lanolin)
- Minerals: Calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium, red iron oxide (inert ingredient in Quinapril)

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on the body and is essential for improving health outcomes, but can have negative consequences if not applied correctly.
Understanding the interconnected areas such as Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, and Pathophysiology is crucial for the proper application of drugs.
Pharmacology is a complex area of study with a diverse scope, including drug names, interactions, side effects, mechanisms of action and response variations.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Pharmacology focuses on the study of drugs and their use in the body, while therapeutics is concerned with the treatment of disease and suffering.
Pharmacotherapeutics integrates the two disciplines by applying drugs to treat diseases.

Classifying Agents

Agents can be classified as:
- Traditional Drugs: Chemically produced in labs and routinely used by healthcare providers.
- Biologics: Naturally produced by the body, animal cells, or microorganisms (including hormones and vaccines), routinely used by healthcare providers.
- Natural Alternatives: Naturally produced, include herbs, extracts, vitamins, minerals, or dietary supplements.

The Role of Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the dispensing of prescriptions and other technical aspects of medication:
- Entering patient profiles into systems.
- Preparing medication products.
- Performing final accuracy checks on prescriptions.
- Providing instructions on medical devices.

The Regulated Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technician is a newly regulated health profession in Canada.

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Description

Explore the fascinating evolution of pharmacy throughout history, from ancient practices to significant advancements in drug discoveries. This quiz covers notable milestones, including major Canadian contributions to medicine, and examines how the profession has developed alongside human needs. Test your knowledge on important figures and innovations that shaped healthcare as we know it today.