The History of Phamaceutical Compounding Essay Example

safe crossings. However, it is more likely that "pharmacy" and related terms have Greek origins like many other scientific terms. The exact date for the word's origin cannot be determined as medicine was already being practiced before the term existed.

During medieval times, priests and doctors in various cultures practiced compounding and combining different ingredients, although the exact name for this practice is uncertain. The Artisans of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China were the first to perform chemical processes. They often worked in temples and palaces, creating luxury goods for priests and nobles. In ancient times, priests speculated on changes in the world around them, sometimes attributing them to magic. However, some of their theories are now considered to have a chemical basis.

The Greeks were the first culture to adopt a scientific approach instead of relying solely on myths to explain phenomena. This shift began around 600 B.C. with Thales who believed that all matter originated from water - it could either evaporate into air or dissolve into earth. His successors further developed this theory by proposing the concept of four elements that compose the earth: earth, water, air, and fire.

Ancient Greeks like Democritus believed in the existence of atoms, but Aristotle disagreed and believed that there was a continuous connection between elements without any empty space. The concept of atoms was forgotten by the Greeks but later reintroduced during the Renaissance. Nowadays, pharmacists work with more complex pharmaceutical remedies compared to those described in the 1618 Pharmacopoeia of London and the 1639 Pharmacopoeia of Paris. Today, any major medicines with significant therapeutic value must be approved according to guidelines set by the 1820 Pharmacopoeia

of the United States, which was originally published by a Committee on Revision.

The Committee consisted of representatives from colleges of medicine, pharmacy, state medical associations, state pharmaceutical associations, and the surgeon general. Pharmacists and pharmaceutical chemists are responsible for selecting drugs and establishing standards for their quality and potency. Drugs with lower therapeutic value go through examination by the National Formulary and are subsequently published by the American Pharmaceutical Association. These publications have been taking place since 1888 when they were established in 1852. If there is a significant deviation from the pharmacopoeia and formulary standards, individuals can be prosecuted by the Food and Drug Administration under the Pure Food, Drug and Cosmetic Acts. The profession of Pharmacy emerged independently from medicine during the early 18th century. In 1821, Philadelphia became home to the first U.S. school of pharmacy. Since then, community pharmacists or druggists have become increasingly sought-after sources for advice on health and hygiene matters.

The current advice provided to patients and doctors focuses on drug action, the utilization of drugs in treating specific diseases, and the side effects caused by drugs. The field of Pharmacy underwent significant changes during the Industrial Revolution. The use of machines in scientific advancements almost completely eradicated manual production of medication. Through phytochemistry and synthetic chemistry, new versions of existing drugs as well as entirely new chemical compounds with medicinal properties were developed. This posed challenges for individual pharmacies, leading to the emergence of Pharmaceutical Companies during this era. These companies were established with the purpose of producing drugs on a large scale. Pharmacies then formed partnerships with organizations such as G.D. Searle, which

by the late 1880s offered an extensive variety of drug forms including 400 fluid extracts, 150 elixirs, 100 syrups, 75 powdered extracts, 25 tinctures, and more.

The medical community was greatly affected by the emergence of pharmaceutical companies during the industrial revolution. These companies played a vital role in advancing the development of new drugs, a task that was previously difficult for pharmacists due to limited resources. Moreover, larger pharmaceutical companies were able to manufacture drugs more efficiently and with greater purity compared to local pharmacists. Additionally, these companies took on the crucial responsibility of ensuring the quality of their medications. Lastly, this development introduced competition from merchants and grocers into the market, an element that was absent in pharmacies before.

During the Industrial Revolution and the nineteenth century, there was a decline in compounding practitioners in the field of pharmacy. However, around the 1920s, approximately eighty percent of prescriptions still required a thorough understanding of compounding. Pharmacies started relying more on purchasing chemicals from manufacturers to fulfill these prescriptions. Nevertheless, pharmacists continued to prepare plasters, pills, powders, and medicated waters. They frequently combined multiple medicines into a single dosage, which today would require separate prescription and dispensing.

Additionally, during this time period pharmacists provided first aid and medications for common ailments. They operated prescription laboratories while also carrying medications from pharmaceutical companies. The most significant change in modern pharmacy has been the almost complete disappearance of medicine preparation and compounding. In the 1920s, over 80 percent of prescriptions at American pharmacies needed knowledge of compounding; however by the 1970s only one percent or less involved combining multiple active ingredients.

Another

change that has occurred is that the knowledge of pharmacists has evolved. Most pharmacists nowadays have limited knowledge, primarily focusing on facts such as the shelf life of medications, the impact of light exposure on drugs, and the reputation of manufacturers. In the past, all pharmacists were dedicated to ensuring the quality of dispensed drugs. These changes necessitated adjustments in the education and responsibilities of pharmacists. Their scientific education became more rigorous, and their role in healthcare became more limited. Additionally, they faced increasing government and institutional requirements that diminished the significance of the patient-pharmacist relationships. On top of that, they confronted intense competition from chain and department stores, which devalued both the role and dignity of pharmacists as healthcare professionals. As a result, more students shifted from community pharmacy to other branches of pharmacy in response to these changes.

From 1947 to 1988, there has been a decline in the number of graduates choosing community pharmacy, with only 57.1 percent in 1988. However, custom compounding pharmacies are now becoming more popular. Medical institutions, doctors, and veterinarians have recognized the importance of tailoring medications to individual needs. This allows pharmacists to prioritize patient welfare and go back to the original principles of pharmacy.

Additionally, it enables pharmacists to contribute to the search for new drugs and innovations in the medical industry. The traditional role of pharmacists as medication dispensers is no longer enough to ensure safety and effectiveness. The focus should shift towards taking responsibility for patients' outcomes from the medications dispensed.

The focus on primary health care brought about by health care reform underscores the significance of pharmacists in the delivery

team. Despite limited access and increasing costs, pharmacists are strategically positioned in pharmacies in both rural communities and inner cities. Their specialized training enables them to provide comprehensive care and bridge the gap in primary health care. Pharmacists do not intend to replace physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners; instead, they enhance their effectiveness. In this evolving landscape, pharmacists play a vital role in the decision-making process of drug therapy. This encompasses recommending therapeutic goals, selecting appropriate drug products, determining dosage and schedule, managing drug supply and preparation, as well as monitoring patient response to ensure maximum benefits with minimal adverse effects.

Advanced trained pharmacists have expanded their role to become therapeutic managers of patients, including prescribing legend medications according to a physician's written protocol. The profession of pharmacy has evolved from merely preparing and dispensing medicine. Nowadays, pharmacists actively engage with patients to communicate about their medication, monitor drug therapy, and educate the community on medication and medical supplies. These pharmacist-patient interactions result in enhanced patient comprehension, adherence, and outcomes. Pharmacists are committed to ensuring that patients fully understand their medication. Educating patients about their medication often involves personalized consultations where pharmacists explain how the medication contributes to the patient's treatment plan and encourage feedback. As patients develop a better understanding of their medication, they are more likely to comply with its usage.

Pharmacies are using computer leaflets and videotapes to provide patients with information about specific medications and conditions. Having a clear understanding of their condition from their physician and their medication from their pharmacist, informed patients have a higher chance of successful treatment. Pharmacists regularly communicate with healthcare professionals to

discuss and clarify drug therapy for patients, including calling doctors to address potential interactions. One important aspect is the role of over-the-counter medication in a patient's drug therapy, which pharmacists frequently receive questions about. A comprehensive drug profile, filled out by the patient on a supplied sheet, is crucial for effective drug therapy.

The profile sheet collects various information, including prescription history, disease state, allergies, nonprescription history, age, date of birth, sex, address, name of physician, and insurance. This data helps pharmacists monitor and guide patients. Pharmacists now have a greater role in community education through activities like public speaking engagements, use of online computer systems, and publications. Many pharmacists give talks on topics such as poison prevention, drug abuse awareness, or nonprescription medication usage at community organizations, schools, and retirement villages. Online systems allow people interested in pharmacy to access medication information as well as details about medical equipment or Medicare benefits. They can also ask questions directly to pharmacists. Additionally, community newspapers often feature articles where pharmacists answer inquiries or discuss new prescription and nonprescription medications.

Pharmacists have a great opportunity to impact therapy and ensure patient comfort in the field of pharmacy. They provide professional services in various areas such as community, hospital, pharmaceutical industry, medical drug firms representation, and academic activities. With their specialized knowledge of medicine management and properties, pharmacists work closely with prescribing doctors and patients to guarantee optimal drug therapy through preparation, promotion, supply, and control of medicines. They also provide information and advice to prescribers and users of pharmaceutical products. A pharmacist's duties include monitoring and dispensing pharmaceuticals to patients or designated sites like physicians offices or

clinics. Additionally, they offer clinical support to management and sales staff.

The job responsibilities and performance objectives for this position include dispensing blood factor concentrate, ancillary supplies, biotech drugs, and other pharmaceuticals for managing chronic health problems in patients. It also involves developing and maintaining policies and procedures, product information brochures, and other data for distribution within the organization. Staying up-to-date with new therapies, technologies, and developments in biotech drug therapy and disease management is crucial. Regularly checking pharmacy stock to ensure inventory management aligns with company goals is another important task, including managing DIOH, excess no-move items, outdated items, and other identified areas. Stock maintenance must be done in accordance with manufacturer requirements. There is also a responsibility to advise and correspond with patients/families, physicians, and sales staff regarding various medications, including dosage and side effects. Additionally, preparing, updating, and maintaining patient charts and required reports for physician and pharmacy review is necessary.

7. The individual's responsibility includes maintaining and organizing "pharmacy law" files for each state where the company operates, ensuring compliance with regulations.

8. They are also in charge of monitoring pharmacy activities to ensure adherence to both state and federal laws.

9. Additionally, they may be assigned other duties as necessary.

Job Qualifications:

• Minimum Education: Undergraduate degree
• Licenses and Certifications: Current professional licensure in the state of practice, DEA (licensed to dispense controlled substances), Registered Pharmacist
• Minimum Experience: 1-2 years
• Preferred Field-of-Expertise: Home infusion, consultant

Decision Making:

• The individual is responsible for making decisions regarding appropriate drug dosage, drug
  

stability, drug and solution stocking, inventory management, and purchasing.

Skills Required:

• Administrative skills include data analysis, composing letters/memorandums, inputting data into computer programs, maintaining patient charts, negotiating skills,and researching information.
• Machine skills required include familiarity with CRT (Mainframe), calculators,and personal computers used for various tasks.

Contact with Others:

• The person in this role will have contact with patients/families,p physicians,nurses,and sales representatives.

Working Conditions:

• There may be exposure to chemicals while working in an open office environment that requires visual concentration on computer screens.

Pharmacy is a specialized profession that involves researching, developing, preparing, and dispensing drugs.Pharmacists play a crucial role in understanding the effects of these drugs on the human body.Additionally, there may be physical demands such as bending, reaching, and lifting objects weighing between 10 and 25 pounds.

Pharmacists must have knowledge about the chemical, physical, and biological properties of substances used in medications and how they should be used. They also need to understand how the human body functions during health and sickness, as well as its response to different drugs. Within pharmacy, a comprehensive understanding of drug classification, selection, analysis, and standardization is necessary. This includes being aware of pharmacological effects, toxicity levels, combinations, and preservation methods. Pharmacists are specialists in medications and experts in poisons; they play a crucial role in improving people's quality of life. Their activities include providing drug information and counseling on proper use of prescription and non-prescription medications. They also monitor patients' profiles for potential allergies or interactions with drugs while ensuring ethical/professional standards and legal requirements (including regulations associated with narcotic/controlled drugs) are followed for purchasing/storage/handling

practices. Qualified pharmacists may also compound specialized drug products that are not commercially available. There are three main categories within which qualified pharmacists can work.

The role of a community pharmacist is important in the community.

Community pharmacists are essential in the field of pharmacy, particularly in retail settings. Their primary responsibility involves preparing and dispensing prescription drugs to the public. As there is a growing trend towards pre-packaged and prepared medications, it becomes crucial for these pharmacists to carefully examine prescriptions, dosages, and labels to ensure their legality. They also have the important task of guiding customers on how to properly use prescribed drugs and warning them about potential risks associated with combining them with alcohol, specific foods, or other medications. Additionally, they provide information about over-the-counter medicines and general healthcare matters. In certain cases where a patient's condition requires it or if the prescribed dosage is unusual, consultation with doctors or dentists may be necessary. Community pharmacists establish strong personal connections with the public while also handling stock control, rotation, and purchasing duties. The maintenance of meticulous records such as the Poisons Register has become increasingly reliant on computer technologies for patient records as well as drug information databases.

Pharmacists are responsible for supervising and training technicians in a pharmacy. It is illegal to operate a pharmacy without a qualified pharmacist present. In addition, community pharmacists often serve as business managers, utilizing accounting and management skills to run profitable chemist shops that sell various products like toiletries, cosmetics, and vitamins. Therefore, their work includes financial management, merchandising, and overseeing staff and premises.

In hospitals, pharmacists lead teams of trained

pharmacy assistants to provide essential healthcare services. Unlike community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists do not engage in the commercial aspects of the profession in government or private institutions. They closely collaborate with other medical staff to ensure optimal care for patients. Hospital pharmacy services involve small-scale drug manufacturing and dispensing, preparing pharmaceuticals for patients within the hospital, and providing drug information and consultative services to medical personnel.

In general hospitals, the pharmacist has the responsibility of carefully preparing sterile intravenous and related injectable products. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining standards, storage, distribution, and supply of drugs, surgical supplies, and other hospital supplies. The pharmacist may also be involved in projects aimed at evaluating the appropriateness and effectiveness of drug use to enhance compliance. Depending on the hospital, they may provide basic lectures on pharmacy and pharmacology to paramedics and participate in ward consultation and medical conferences. They are often asked to serve on drug and therapeutic committees, serving as a knowledgeable resource person. Hospital pharmacy in Malaysia is increasingly focused on clinical aspects. Ultimately, hospital pharmacy offers a unique professional experience that many pharmacists find unmatched by any other branch. On the other hand, industrial pharmacists concentrate on researching and developing pharmaceutical products.

Industrial pharmacists have the opportunity to specialize in various areas such as clinical trials, drug production, research and development, marketing, quality assurance, and medical representation. In clinical trials, their responsibility is to test drugs with volunteers and patients in order to ensure both safety and effectiveness. Drug production involves managing manufacturing, packaging, storage, and delivery while also following medicine regulations. Furthermore, industrial pharmacists act as a bridge between manufacturers and doctors/pharmacists by

working as medical representatives. These representatives must possess extensive technical knowledge about the products they sell and excel at evaluating market responses, budgeting for stock requirements, and participating in general administration. Additionally, consultant pharmacists may hold administrative positions within government or business organizations.

Education pharmacists can combine research, teaching, and administrative activities. They should have an interest in science, health, and medicine and be able to pursue a degree in the field. They hold a significant amount of responsibility and must work with precision and accuracy. Being observant and logical is crucial when carrying out laboratory tasks and managing medical supplies. It is important for them to stay updated with the latest advancements in the pharmaceutical sciences. Furthermore, they should have an inquisitive mind, good concentration abilities, organizational skills, patience, and persistence. Pharmacists in managerial roles must possess effective management skills and the ability to supervise and delegate tasks to their team. In the retail sector, pharmacists also need to have a business sense.

Pharmacists who interact with the public or patients must possess a caring and sympathetic demeanor, a friendly personality, and excellent communication skills. Other necessary qualities include an interest in serving people, the ability to work well as part of a team, meticulous attention to detail, high integrity, precise work habits, independence, decision-making capabilities, and adherence to high ethical standards. The specific personal qualities required for success in the field of pharmacy may vary depending on the area of practice.

Pharmacy is a diverse and science-based discipline. Therefore, the entry requirements for the Pharmacy degree program at Universiti Sains Malaysia (the only local institution currently offering such a course

in Malaysia) reflect this diversity. Presently, degrees obtained from select universities in Australia,Saudi Arabia , Canada , Japan , Indonesia , Iraq , New Zealand,Egypt,Singapore , USA , United Kingdom,Turkey , India,Pakistan,and Ireland are recognized for registration purposes.However,some of these universities may require additional criteria to be met.

Contact the Secretary of the Pharmacy Board at Bangunan MMA, 1st Floor, Jalan Pahang, 53000 Kuala Lumpur to obtain information on accredited foreign universities. Graduates from these institutions may be required to complete an additional year of housemanship and serve a year with the Ministry of Health as a provisionally registered pharmacist. Some may also need to pass an examination in practical pharmaceutics. All candidates may have to take a local forensic pharmacy examination. Upon passing this exam and completing their housemanship, they can register with the Pharmacy Board as licensed pharmacists in Malaysia. With a pharmacy degree, there are great job opportunities in Malaysia due to high demand. Factors contributing to this demand include scientific advancements that have broadened the range of available preventive and therapeutic drugs, as well as widespread health insurance coverage which often includes prescription drugs.

The demand for pharmacists is expected to increase due to population growth and the aging of the population. Job openings in pharmacy will primarily involve replacing retiring pharmacists, similar to doctors and dentists who also tend to stay in their respective fields until retirement. The number of pharmacists who switch careers is relatively small. Upon graduation, pharmacists typically begin their careers at an entry level position within community practice. Advancement opportunities exist in larger pharmacies and can lead to regional management roles. Some pharmacists may

opt to establish their own businesses; however, this requires capital investment. Pharmacists also have the option of working for various entities including healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies (such as public health units, food and drug inspection services, law enforcement agencies, and laboratories), universities for teaching or research positions, as well as provincial regulatory bodies.