Pharmacy Reaches its Identity

One important Arab contribution to pharmacy was the introduction of a new type of professional literature: the forms to be used by pharmacists or other drug makers. They were compilations of drug formulas and prescriptions, with some manufacturing instructions. There were even forms specially designed for hospital pharmacies.

The Arab medical-pharmaceutical literature also included encyclopedias, commentaries and original contributions from numerous doctors and scientists, all of which had an impact in the development of pharmacy and medicine.

Persian philosopher and physician Ibn-Sînã, known as Avicenna (980-1037), gathered all medical and pharmaceutical knowledge in his 11th century work Canon Medicinae (The Canon of Medicine). Much of his knowledge was influenced by Dioscorides and Galen. But Avicenna, by adding his own knowledge, dramatically advanced the pharmaceutical science of the time. His medical material included therapeutic substances used by the Arabs, Persians, Indians and Greeks. Avicenna became particularly well-known in the pharmacy field for introducing the golden and silver pills. He also perfected the distillation process and used it to extract the famous oil of roses.

The influence of Avicenna was noticeable and his works were translated into Latin in the 13th century and later printed and reprinted throughout Europe. Until the 18th century his work was referred to in all pharmacopoeias, Avicenna being as referenced as Galen in the areas of medicine and pharmacy.

Another important Arab contribution to pharmacy was the introduction of new pharmaceutical forms, such as syrups, preserves, confections, juleps and electuaries, all with the use of sugar and honey, which contradicted the idea that only bitter remedies were effective. In addition, extracts and essences, such as rose water, lemon and orange peel and tragacanth (natural gum), enhanced their pharmaceutical art. The pharmacy was no longer just crushing, mixing and dissolving, and now required new knowledge and skills.

The Arab pharmacy was also enriched thanks to its connection with alchemy, which enabled it to gain access to operations and chemical instruments. For their potions, the Arab alchemists used pots, retorts, alembics, crucibles, furnaces, bellows and tongs, as well as mortars and pestles. In addition to distillation, they were familiar with the processes of filtration, sublimation and calcination, melting and compression, purification and cleaning of minerals.

It is undeniable that the Arabs played an important role in the development of the professional identity of the pharmacist. In fact, the first pharmacy appears in Baghdad, between 775-785, under the responsibility of a pharmacist, the al-sayãdilah. There were also sellers of miracle powders and other substances and spices, in addition to perfume vendors.