Why Are Medicine Dealers Known as Pharmacists or Chemists?

In English, some words undergo changes in form to indicate pluralization, such as policy changing to policies. Similarly, pharmacy changes to pharmacies. This article delves into the historical reasons behind why pharmacy is referred to in this manner, exploring its plural form and the evolution of professional roles. We will also discuss the historical context and regional differences in terminology.

Plural Form of Pharmacy

A pharmacy is one specific establishment that provides medicine and healthcare services, whereas pharmacies are multiple such establishments. You might visit just one pharmacy in a small town, but if you belong to a large chain, you have access to many.
Pharmacies can be independently owned or part of a worldwide chain. When you use a chain, picking up your medication in one state is as simple as visiting another store in the chain. However, if you rely on an independently owned pharmacy, you must ensure you have enough medication to last your entire trip.

Historical Context

The term pharmacy has its roots in medieval Europe, where different professionals were involved in the preparation and sale of medicines. Let's explore this in more detail:

Regional Differences

In the UK and some other countries, the term pharmacist is widely used. However, in Commonwealth nations, the word chemist is more prevalent. This is due to historical and linguistic reasons.

Evolving Roles

In the past, there were four types of individuals who could provide medications: doctors/physicians, apothecaries, chemists, and druggists. Each had distinct roles:

Doctors / Physicians: Often handsomely trained apprentices who would mix components to create drugs based on prescriptions. Apothecaries: Made their own formulations of drugs using their knowledge and skills. They might even diagnose patients. Chemists: Made use of chemically synthesized ingredients for creating their drugs. Druggists: Simple merchants who sold patented drugs with no pharmacological knowledge.

Over time, apothecaries and chemists began to merge as they started using a combination of traditional and synthetic methods in their preparation process. Chemists needed to have basic knowledge of chemistry and use specific apparatus, making them capable of performing chemical experiments. Many important scientific discoveries, such as the discovery of oxygen by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, were made by these apothecary/chemists.

Standardization of Roles

As medicine, pharmacy, and other related fields became more standardized, the roles of these professionals became more defined. A doctor could prescribe medicine, a chemist could make it, and a pharmacist could sell it. However, their names remained, leading to the continued use of the term chemist for pharmacists in many regions.

While this terminology may seem archaic now, it is a testament to the historical evolution of the profession.

Conclusion

The term pharmacist as used in terms of chemist is a relic from a time when the roles of these professionals were intertwined. Understanding the historical context and regional differences helps clarify why these terms are used interchangeably, even though their current meanings have diverged.