Pharmacy History Timeline

Ancient Civilizations

• 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.

Middle Ages

• 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.

Renaissance and Enlightenment

• 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.

Industrialization and Modern Era

• 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.

Notable Figures

• 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.

Key Events and Milestones

• 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.

Ancient Civilizations

• 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.

Middle Ages

• 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.

Renaissance and Enlightenment

• 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.

Industrialization and Modern Era

• 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.

Notable Figures

• 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.

Key Events and Milestones

• 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.