Apothecary (/ əˈpɒθəkəri /) is an archaic English term for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica (medicine) to physicians, surgeons and patients. The modern terms pharmacist and, in British English, chemist have taken over this role. Learn about the origin and evolution of apothecaries, who were medieval practitioners of pharmacy and medicine. Find out how apothecary influenced the development of pharmacology and pharmaceutical industry. You Might Ask, “What is an Apothecary?” Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines an apothecary as “one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes.” The word apothecary is derived from the ancient Greek language and is basically what we consider to be a drugstore or pharmacy today, e.g. Walgreens or CVS. Unlike modern drug stores, apothecaries specialized in herbal sciences and chemistry. Today drug stores and pharmacies merely dispense the medical products ... A pharmacist is a healthcare professional with extensive education in pharmacology, typically requiring a doctoral degree to practice in modern times. They are responsible for dispensing prescription medications and ensuring patient safety. Conversely, an apothecary was a historical term for someone who made and sold medicines; the role was less regulated and formalized compared to today’s pharmacists.
