Pharmaceuticals is a branch of industry whose task is the mass production of standardized medicines. It is a historical continuation of the pharmacy. There is a significant difference between the two concepts and methods of obtaining drugs.
Pharmacy and pharmaceuticals: what are the differences?
Pharmacy has been known since ancient times, when the first medicines began to be manufactured. Today, pharmacy is a scientific discipline, the scope of which includes the creation of drugs, the study of their reliability, research in the field of synthesis and production of drugs, the study of the mechanism of action of drugs on humans and much more. Also the subject of study is the search and testing of natural therapeutic agents. Pharmaceuticals are the industrial production of medicines, the next stage in the development of pharmacy to meet the needs of the mass consumer.
Pharmaceuticals as part of pharmacy appeared in the 19th century, when it became clear that the long-known method of manufacturing drugs could not provide the mass consumer, and the preparations obtained were of a makeshift character. The individual preparation of drugs resulted in frequent complications in patients, each specialist - a “pharmacist" - had his own prescription for a particular drug, there was no general prescription and standardization of drugs.
The era of standardization and the emergence of pharmacy chains began in the 19th century, the movement began in the USA, after understanding the benefits of creating a medical market. Medicines began to be produced in droves after the appearance of the first large-scale enterprises. Thus, pharmaceuticals are the technological production of medicines with all the attendant interests of the high-tech industry.
What does pharmaceuticals do?
In the modern world, pharmaceuticals is an area of knowledge and practice in the interests of industrial, mass and economically advanced production of medicines and substances. She studies all aspects of mass production of drugs. In her competence:
- The study of the effectiveness of drugs and their effects on the human body.
- The study of the chemical components of drugs (dosing, concentration, etc.).
- Types of dosage forms, methods of their introduction into production and sale.
- Physical conditions of medicinal substances (size, shape, etc.).
- Mass production technology, machinery and apparatus for industry, equipment for production lines.
- Excipients of drugs, their effect on the final product and the human body.
Pharmaceutical Development
The pharmaceutical industry arose in the second half of the 19th century. During this period, the first pharmacies appeared, where the drugs were not compiled, but only sold. Patented products fell into the implementation. Two companies pioneered the industrial production of medicines: Boma produced ammonia, and Pelletier produced quinine. Owners of retail pharmacies followed their example, on the basis of which large production subsequently grew.
When enterprising pharmacists realized that pharmaceuticals were very profitable, they began to build their own enterprises. In 1827, pharmacist Merck began producing drugs based on natural ingredients (morphine, quinine, etc.), which later led him to create a large company. The basis of many well-known pharmaceutical brands has become a regular pharmacy, such as "Schering" (Germany) or "Park Davis" (USA).
Pharmaceuticals and Chemistry
Not only pharmacies were limited to this industry. Pharmaceuticals are directly related to the chemical industry. Chemical waste products were the start for several companies, for example, such as Bayer. Government policy on patenting drug names has also contributed to the development of the industry.
Any manufacturer could come up with their own name for the medicine and sell it under their own brand, which did not prevent others from selling the same product under other names. Successful advertising and marketing campaigns made the Aspirin drug 24 times more expensive than acetylsalicylic acid, which it essentially was.
The unfolding war between Prussia and Austria in 1866 stimulated the production of pharmaceuticals. The ensuing military conflicts in Europe also spurred the rapid growth of large-scale manufacturing of patented drugs. Before the First World War, Germany was the leader in the pharmaceutical industry; its market share was 20% of the total drug turnover. Later, leadership passed to companies from the United States.
Russian pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals in Russia began its development with monasteries, where all the afflicted received not only spiritual food, but also help in curing ailments, as well as numerous medical advice. In 1091, the first hospital was established in Russia, the initiator was the Pereyaslav priest Ephraim. Chronicles have preserved the names of many monastery healers, and some of them have been honored for centuries, for example, Pimen Postnik and Dimian Celebnik.
The Mongol-Tatar invasion and several centuries of slavery prevented the development of science in many areas, medicine almost ceased to exist. Interest in her revived in the royal family in 1547, when several experts were brought to the court from Europe.
The first pharmacy appeared in Moscow under Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the duties of the staff included servicing the monarch's family. It became the basis for the creation of the Pharmaceutical Chamber. Reliable data on the first pharmacy was not preserved. It is believed that it was located opposite the Chudov Monastery in the Kremlin. All works were strictly regulated, the ingredients used were taken into account in a special book, the manufactured drugs were supplied with an inscription that indicated the content and quantity of each component and the name of the pharmacist who created the potion. The book was kept by the head of the Pharmaceutical Chamber, along with all the medicines.
Peter's reforms
In 1654, a school for the training of doctors and pharmacists was opened. A public pharmacy appeared in Moscow in 1672, and it was located not far from Red Square, it was given the name Novaya in order not to be confused with Tsarskaya. Progress in this area was brought by the main reformer of Russia - Peter I. In 1701, according to his decree, eight such shops were opened in Belokamennaya. The largest and most advanced pharmacy of the time was located on Myasnitskaya Street in 1706. The task of this institution included not only the supply of medicines to a wide range of buyers, but also the supply of medicines to army units.
In 1714, Peter the Great carried out another reform of medicine and renamed the Pharmacy Chamber into the Medical Chancellery. The new institution was engaged in the control of military medicine, the regulation of the work of pharmacists. In the mid-18th century, 14 pharmacies were established in the capital, and they appeared in many large cities.
Achievements of Russian pharmacists
Domestic pharmaceuticals made a significant contribution to world science. The most striking discoveries were made at the Medical and Surgical Academy (Petersburg). On the basis of the educational institution, Professor O. V. Zabelin organized a laboratory where pharmacological experiments were carried out. Thanks to the activities of A. A. Sokolovsky, such disciplines as pharmacology and pharmaceuticals were studied at Moscow University. Contribution to the development of medicines and preparations was made by many scientists who worked at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Pharmaceutical products in the Soviet period were produced only after a long period of testing, confirmation of the effectiveness and safety of its use. A network of laboratories and large enterprises for the synthesis of complex drugs has been created in the country. Produced drugs were of high quality. Currently, Russian pharmaceuticals are fully consistent with international industry standards. A working network of laboratories and industries continues to develop new drugs, experiments and research are being conducted.
Russian pharmaceutical factories produce products that are in demand on the domestic and foreign markets. The five largest pharmaceutical enterprises of the Russian Federation look like this:
- "AstraZeneca".
- CJSC Vertex.
- STADA CIS.
- Microgen.
- JSC "Grindeks".
Profession "Pharmacist"
Pharmaceuticals is a science and industry that requires qualified personnel. Medical schools train specialists in two professions - a pharmacist and a pharmacist. A pharmacist is a junior medical staff, a specialty is received in colleges, training lasts 4 years. The profession of pharmacist is mastered in universities for 7 years (6 years of study + 1 year internship).
The pharmacists get the knowledge base in four main areas. After graduation, specialists in this field work in pharmacies, pharmacy warehouses, laboratories, and specialized research institutes. Pharmaceuticals attract students with great opportunities and dynamism. The specialist should not only dispense drugs, but also give advice on an alternative choice. In addition, the mastered knowledge base allows you to understand how drugs are made up, what their effect and contraindications are.
Who can work for an employee of an enterprise whose field of activity is pharmaceuticals? The cure for any disease is made taking into account and observing strict technologies and rules. For a pharmacist, there is work in any part of the enterprise. Directions of work of such a specialist:
- Pharmacist-seller - works in a retail network of pharmacies. The responsibilities include communicating with customers, maintaining records, making prescription drugs, correctly storing medicines, and replenishing stocks.
- A research pharmacist works in laboratories. The objectives of the researcher are: to study the course of diseases, healing processes, the behavior of bacteria, viruses, microflora, etc. The most attentive specialists gain access to work with dangerous types of viruses (AIDS, Ebola, etc.) for the development of vaccines against these diseases.
- Distributor pharmacists are in demand in pharmaceutical companies that sell their own drugs or are representatives of large corporations.
Pharmaceuticals is a synthesis of science and production. Almost all people use mass-produced drugs. A sensible approach to the consumption of drugs helps to maintain health and cure many diseases.