Pharmacy History Timeline

Study Notes

Egypt (2900 BCE): Evidence of pharmaceutical practice, including medicinal use of herbs and minerals, found in ancient Egyptian papyri.
Greece (500 BCE): Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, emphasized the importance of pharmacology and the use of herbal remedies.
Rome (100 BCE): Greek physician Dioscorides wrote "De Materia Medica," a comprehensive text on pharmacology and therapeutics.

Arabic Golden Age (800-1300 CE): Islamic scholars, such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna), made significant contributions to pharmacy, including the development of pharmacopeias and the introduction of new drugs.
Europe (1200-1500 CE): Apothecaries emerged as a distinct profession, preparing and selling medicinal remedies.

16th century: Discovery of the New World introduced new medicinal plants and substances, leading to the development of new remedies.
17th century: Pharmacopeias, such as the London Pharmacopeia, were published, standardizing medicinal preparations and dosages.

18th century: Development of modern chemistry led to the discovery of new drugs and the synthesis of existing ones.
19th century: Emergence of pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck (1668) and Pfizer (1849), marked the beginning of the modern pharmaceutical industry.
20th century: Development of antibiotics, vaccines, and other life-saving medications revolutionized healthcare.
** Late 20th century:** Advances in biotechnology, genomics, and pharmacogenomics led to the development of targeted therapies and personalized medicine.

Dioscorides (40-90 CE): Greek physician who wrote "De Materia Medica," a foundational text on pharmacology and therapeutics.
Ibn Sina (980-1037 CE): Islamic scholar and physician who wrote "The Canon of Medicine," a influential text on pharmacology and medicine.
John Boot (1849-1928 CE): British pharmacist who founded the Boots Company, a leading pharmaceutical retailer.

1928: Discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming.
1950s: Development of the first vaccines and antibiotics.
1980s: Introduction of recombinant DNA technology and the development of biotechnology-based medications.
1990s: Mapping of the human genome and the emergence of pharmacogenomics.

In Egypt around 2900 BCE, evidence of pharmaceutical practice emerged, including the use of herbs and minerals for medicinal purposes, as recorded in ancient papyri.
In Greece around 500 BCE, Hippocrates emphasized the importance of pharmacology and the use of herbal remedies.

During the Arabic Golden Age (800-1300 CE), Islamic scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) made significant contributions to pharmacy, including the development of pharmacopeias and the introduction of new drugs.
In Europe between 1200-1500 CE, apothecaries emerged as a distinct profession, preparing and selling medicinal remedies.

The 16th century discovery of the New World introduced new medicinal plants and substances, leading to the development of new remedies.
In the 17th century, pharmacopeias like the London Pharmacopeia were published, standardizing medicinal preparations and dosages.

In the 18th century, modern chemistry led to the discovery of new drugs and the synthesis of existing ones.
In the 19th century, pharmaceutical companies like Merck (1668) and Pfizer (1849) emerged, marking the beginning of the modern pharmaceutical industry.
The 20th century saw the development of antibiotics, vaccines, and other life-saving medications, revolutionizing healthcare.
In the late 20th century, advances in biotechnology, genomics, and pharmacogenomics led to the development of targeted therapies and personalized medicine.

Dioscorides (40-90 CE) wrote "De Materia Medica," a foundational text on pharmacology and therapeutics.
Ibn Sina (980-1037 CE) wrote "The Canon of Medicine," an influential text on pharmacology and medicine.
John Boot (1849-1928 CE) founded the Boots Company, a leading pharmaceutical retailer.

1928: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
1950s: The first vaccines and antibiotics were developed.
1980s: Recombinant DNA technology was introduced, and biotechnology-based medications were developed.
1990s: The human genome was mapped, and pharmacogenomics emerged.