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History of Pharmacy

Benjamin Franklin, His Life (by Benjamin Franklin)
Benedict Arnold : A Biography (by Hill, George Canning)
The Diary of John Pemberton : For the Ye... (by Pemberton, John)
American journal of pharmacy; Volume: 73... (by Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science)
The New York Journal of Pharmacy : Volum... (by Columbia University. College of Pharmacy. Alumni A...)

When we’re sick, most of us rely on medicine to heal us; but, before modern medications were available, humanity relied on the power of nature—plants, animals, and other microorganisms to return us to health. Over one-quarter of natural medicines have been discovered in rainforests.

Rx is the symbol associated with medical prescriptions. Some claim that the symbol is an abbreviation of the Latin word “recipe” meaning “take.” Others believe that the symbol evolved from the Eye of Horus—an ancient Egyptian symbol associated with healing powers.

What is known is that the practice of pharmacy, the preparation and dispensation of drugs, has been around for thousands of years. The first recorded prescriptions were etched on a clay tablet in Mesopotamia around 2100 BC. The first drugstores were established in Baghdad in the 8th century AD.

In the late 4th century BC, the Greeks Hippocrates and later Diocles of Carystus—the latter a member of the “rhizotomoi,” a specialized branch of medical experts on the uses of medicinal plants--wrote definitive medical texts that healers in the Western World used for centuries. Prior to the opening of drug stores in Europe in the 1200s AD, pharmacy was widely practiced in monasteries.

In 1729 AD, Irish immigrant Christopher Marshall founded the first true retail pharmacy in the U.S. In 1852 AD, the American Pharmaceutical Association was founded and at the same time, there was an attempt to standardize pharmaceuticals. After World War II, pharmaceutical manufacturing took on its modern industrialized form.

Here are some interesting facts that relate to the history of pharmacy:

The Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is probably the oldest still-operating pharmacy in the world. It was established in 1221, when Dominican friars built a monastery there. Soon after, they began studying and experimenting with herbs grown in their garden. The balms and ointments that were created were meant to keep the friars and other members of the community in good health.

Infamous Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut on January 14, 1741. His father was a successful businessman and young Benedict was educated in private schools. Following the deaths of three of his children from yellow fever, Benedict Sr. began to drink heavily and fell on difficult financial times. Benedict Jr. left school and apprenticed at an apothecary. For more, read Benedict Arnold: A Biography by George Canning Hill.

Benjamin Franklin was a pharmacist and Agatha Christie worked as a pharmacy technician during World War II. For more, read Benjamin Franklin, His Life.

Louis Dufilho Jr. of New Orleans became America’s first licensed pharmacist in the early 1800s. Prior to then, a license wasn’t needed.

Coca-Cola® was invented by a pharmacist named John Pemberton. He carried the jug of the new product down the street to Jacob’s Pharmacy where it was sampled, pronounced “excellent,” and placed on sale for 5 cents a glass as a soda fountain drink. For more on Pemberton, read The Diary of John Pemberton.

By Regina Molaro