Pharmacy Lecture Notes PDF

 Pharmacy The word pharmacy is derived from the Greek word “Pharmakon"; meaning medicine or drug. Pharmacy as a profession is concerned with : 1. The compounding and dispensing of drugs 2. Interpretation of prescription orders 3. Providing drug related information to consumer ...

 Pharmacy The word pharmacy is derived from the Greek word “Pharmakon"; meaning medicine or drug. Pharmacy as a profession is concerned with : 1. The compounding and dispensing of drugs 2. Interpretation of prescription orders 3. Providing drug related information to consumer  A Pharmacist Is an expert in drugs, who is educated and licensed to dispense drugs and provide drug information. Is the most accessible member of today's health-care team. Is the first source of assistance and advice on many common ailments and health care matter. Drug Medicine A drug A material that has a pharmacological effect. It may be: a. natural in origin (plant, animal, mineral), b. synthetic e.g. aspirin c. semi-synthetic e.g. ampicillin Medicine When the drug is mixed with other ingredients, packed and labeled then dispensed, it is described as a Medicine.  Pharmaceutical products Are drugs that are processed on large scale by pharmaceutical manufacturers. When dispensed to the patient they are referred to as medicines. Pharmaceutical products or medicines should be safe, effective and reliable.  What is a Drug ? A Drug (active ingredient) is a material that has a pharmacological effect. Active Pharmaceutical Drug Ingredient (API) Pharmacological Effect API may be: Natural in origin (plant, animal, mineral) Synthetic in origin (aspirin) Semisynthetic in origin (ampicillins) Natural in origin: Plants Natural in origin: Animals The liver of cod fish (cod liver oil) contains high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A and vitamin D. Insulin is extracted from bovine or porcine pancreas. Natural in origin: Minerals Sulfur is used externally in skin diseases. Charcoal is used for the treatment of diarrhea. Synthetic in origin : Aspirin Nowadays most drugs are produced artificially by combining two or more compounds or elements. Semisynthetic in origin : Penicillin Aspergillate group of fungi produce antibiotics such as penicillin.  What is Medicine ? When a drug is mixed with other ingredients, packed and labeled then dispensed, it is described as a medicine (dosage form). Active ingredient (Drug) Inactive Ingredients Mixed A matter which has no therapeutic activity Packed Dispense as medicine Labeled (dosage form) Drug General Characteristics: Used to treat a disease. Pure and has a defined chemical structure. Well known physical, chemical and biological properties. Available from known source. Most drugs have known adverse reaction in the body.  Safe Effective Economic Properties of Pharmaceutical products  Chemical Name Generic Brand Name Name  Chemical Name Indicates the chemical structure of the drug. E.g. N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanamide ⇒ paracetamol Chemical Name  Generic Name The name assigned to the compound during early investigative stages. E.g. N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanamide ⇒ paracetamol Generic Name  Brand Name ✓ It is the trade name of the drug. ✓ The same drug may take several brand names from several companies. E.g. N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanamide ⇒ paracetamol ⇒ Panadol, Dymadon, Febridol, Panamax, Paralgin Brand Name N.B. the same drug have only one chemical name and one generic name and several brand names. Chemical Generic Name Name Brand Brand Name 3 Name 1 Brand Name 4 Brand Name 2