Pharmacy History Quiz

History of Pharmacy

• Pharmacy's history encompasses a journey from ancient practices to modern advancements in pharmaceutical care.
• Early practices relied on observation of animals and natural elements for healing.
• The use of water, leaves, dirt, and mud were initial treatment methods.

Pharmacy in Ancient Babylon

• Ancient Mesopotamia marked the dawn of apothecary practices.
• By 2600 B.C., healers were priests, pharmacists and physicians.
• Clay tablets documented illness symptoms, prescriptions, preparation steps, and invocations to deities.

Pharmacy in Ancient China

• Chinese pharmacy emerged by 2000 B.C., evolving from Emperor Shen Nung's explorations.
• Herbs, barks, and roots were investigated for medicinal properties.
• Herbs were tested on the researchers and documented in the Pen T-Sao which documented 365 native herbs.
• "Pa Kua," a mathematical design that symbolized creation and life, possibly played a role.

Ancient Egypt: Days of the Papyrus Ebers

• Egypt's medical knowledge, documented around 2900 B.C., was significant.
• The Papyrus Ebers (1500 B.C.) detailed 800 prescriptions and 700 drugs.
• The House of Life was where pharmacy (drug preparation and dispensing) was conducted, with distinct roles (gatherers, preparers, chiefs).

Theophrastus – Father of Botany

• Theophrastus (around 300 B.C.), an early Greek philosopher and naturalist, was termed the "father of botany."
• Their observations and writings on herbs' medicinal properties were unusually accurate.

The Royal Toxicologist – Mithridates VI

• Mithridates VI, King of Pontus (circa 100 B.C.), was a renowned toxicologist.
• He developed methods to counteract poisoning using himself and prisoners as subjects.
• He created a pan-antidotal formula (universal antidote), known as Mithridatum.

Terra Sigillata (Sealed Earth)

• A therapeutic agent called Terra Sigillata was discovered in Lemnos before 500 B.C.
• The clay was prepared and formed into tablets (pastilles) with a seal by priestesses, and sun-dried.
• This practice involved the local community during special days in the year.

Dioscorides: A Scientist Looks at Drugs

• Pedanios Dioscorides (first century A.D.) played a role by documenting medical properties of herbs.
• He compiled influential medical texts for the Roman army, contributing greatly to materia medica practices.
• His texts were referenced even until the 16th century.

Galen, Experimenter in Drug Compounding

• Galen (130-200 A.D.) practiced and taught pharmacy and medicine in Rome.
• His principles of drug preparation and compounding ruled the Western world for over 1,500 years.
• He developed many pharmaceutical products, including cold cream.

Monastic Pharmacy

• Monasteries were crucial guardians of medical knowledge during the Middle Ages.
• Medical and pharmacy knowledge were conserved from the 5th to 12th centuries.
• This knowledge was passed down through monasteries and copied into manuscripts.

Islam & Pharmacy

• Islamic scholars significantly advanced pharmacy knowledge, collection and preparation of remedies.
• Expert practitioners and healers helped in developing preparation methods in order to ensure the healing properties of the drugs.

First Apothecary Shop

• The first private drug stores (apothecary shops) opened in Baghdad in the 8th century.
• Islamic scholars preserved Greco-roman knowledge.
• They introduced new methods and used local resources for preparing syrups, confections, conserves, and distilled waters.

Ibn Sina – The "Persian Galen"

• Ibn Sina (about 980-1037 A.D.) made significant contributions to the sciences of pharmacy and medicine.
• He was a pharmacist, poet, physician, philosopher, and diplomat.
• His pharmaceutical teachings influenced and were authoritative in the West until the 17th century.

Arabian Pharmacy Teaching

• Between 700 and 1300 A.D., there was a flourishing of knowledge in the sciences of medicine, health, and disease.
• Important works were produced on pharmacy, materia medica, and herbalism.
• Al-Kindi and Al-Samarqandi developed substantial expertise in herbalism.

Separation of Pharmacy & Medicine

• In Sicily (1240 A.D.), pharmacy and medicine became differentiated professions.
• This separation was due to King Frederick II, who established specific rules to regulate the practice of pharmacists.

First Pharmacopoeia

• The idea of an official pharmacopoeia with standardization emerged in Florence (Italy).
• The Nuovo Receptario (1498) was the first published standard in Italian, a key achievement in establishing pharmacy standards.

Society of Apothecaries

• The Society of Apothecaries aimed to regulate pharmacy practices in the British Isles.
• Over time, this company worked in conjunction with physicians and authorities to address the need for professionalization and regulations of the profession.

The Pharmacopoeia Comes of Age

• The "United States Pharmacopoeia" (1820) marked a significant step in U.S. pharmacy history.
• Dr. Edward R. Squibb addressed the need for interest in the medical profession, by pushing for the reform of the U.S.P. through the American Pharmaceutical Association.

Introduction of Pharmacy to Malaysia

• Pharmacy reached Malaysia through the procurement, storage and distribution of drugs, primarily from the United Kingdom.
• Key regulations like the Poison Act and Dangerous Drugs Act were put in place, and the Registration of Pharmacists Act was introduced.
• The second Malaysian Plan (1961-1965) spurred growth in the pharmaceuitcal industry.

Pharmaceutical Control Era

• The establishment of the Government Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Stores (GPLS) marked a critical chapter in pharmaceutical regulations.
• The National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB) was set up to ensure compliance with health standards and regulations.
• The Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations of 1984 further clarified the scope of pharmaceutical practice and authority.

Pharmacist & Practice Era

• The Malaysian Pharmacy Board played a critical role in standardizing policies and professional regulations from the 1950s through present day.
• The enforcement of the Registration of Pharmacists Act (Amendment) 2003 further institutionalized pharmacy practice and established a role in the pharmaceutical regulatory agency.

Yesterday, Today & Future

• The fields of pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and clinical practice evolved significantly over time.
• Throughout the progression of time, pharmacists have taken on different roles that have shaped and helped to define the profession from ancient times to the present day.

Pharmacist & Individualised Therapeutics

• Personalized medications and treatments have become increasingly important.
• Modern pharmacists increasingly play a role in prescribing medication and taking on responsibilities for dispensing medications. This evolution reflects the evolving role pharmacists play from traditional to present day.
• The modern pharmacist plays a crucial role in collaborating and communicating with different members of the healthcare team, including emergency physicians, hospitalists and para-medics.

4th Industrial Revolution Challenges

• Advancements in technology bring challenges for pharmacists.
• Connected medical devices, data security, and global trends pose key obstacles.
• Pharmacists need to adapt and enhance existing skills.

Digital Transformation & Adherence

• Digital tools (ingestible and wearable sensors, mobile apps, smart pill containers) play an increasing role in patient care.
• The goal is to optimize patient adherence.

Ingestible Pill Sensor

• Medication intake is monitored through a small device swallowed by a patient.
• Data is transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device and to healthcare systems.

Wearable Technology

• Wearable devices track health data, offering feedback to patients for monitoring medication adherence and progress.
• These devices collect and transmit data to healthcare providers and are considered an invaluable source of information.

Mobile Applications

• Mobile apps offer patients access to medication information, schedules, reminders, and communication with healthcare providers.

Smart Pill Containers

• Automated systems that transmit medication information to healthcare providers, monitor dosage, and provide reminders, thereby improving patient compliance.