Archive for September, 2007

History of Muslim Pharmacy

The advances the Middle East made in botany and chemistry led them to substantially develop pharmacology, Al-Razi (865-915), for instance, acted to promote the medical uses of chemical compounds. al-Zahrawi (936-1013) pioneered the preparation of medicines by sublimation and distillation. His Liber servitoris is of particular interest, as it provides the reader with recipes and explains how to prepare the `simples’ from which were compounded the complex drugs then generally used. Sabur Ibn Sahl (d 869), was, however, the first physician to initiate pharmacopoedia, describing a large variety of drugs and remedies for ailments. Al-Biruni (973-1050) wrote one of the most valuable Islamic works on pharmacology entitled Kitab al-Saydalah (The Book of Drugs), where he gave detailed knowledge of the properties of drugs and outlined the role of pharmacy and the functions and duties of the pharmacist. Ibn Sina, too, described no less than 700 preparations, their properties, mode of action and their indications. He devoted in fact a whole volume to simple drugs in his Canon. Of great impact were also the works by al-Maridini of Baghdad and Cairo, and Ibn al-Wafid (1008-1074), both of which were printed in Latin more than fifty times, appearing as De Medicinis universalibus et particularibus by `Mesue’ the younger, and the Medicamentis simplicibus by `Abenguefit’. Peter of Abano (1250-1316) translated and added a supplement to the work of al-Maridini under the title De Veneris. al-Muwaffaq’s contributions in the field are also pioneering. Living in the tenth century, he wrote The foundations of the true properties of Remedies, amongst others describing arsenious oxide, and being acquainted with silicic acid. He made clear distinction between sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, and drew attention to the poisonous nature of copper compounds, especially copper vitriol, and also lead compounds. For the story, he also mentions the distillation of sea-water for drinking

Comments

Main disciplines of Pharmacy

The field of Pharmacy can generally be divided into three primary disciplines:

* Pharmaceutics
* Medicinal chemistry and Pharmacognosy
* Pharmacy practice

The boundaries between these disciplines and with other sciences, such as biochemistry, are not always clear-cut; and often, collaborative teams from various disciplines research together.

Pharmacology is sometimes considered a fourth discipline of pharmacy. Although pharmacology is essential to the study of pharmacy, it is not specific to pharmacy. Therefore it is usually considered to be a field of the broader sciences.

There are various specialties of pharmacy practice. Specialization in pharmacy practice is typically based on the place of practice or practice roles including: community, hospital, clinical pharmacy, consultant, locum, drug information, regulatory affairs, industry, and academia.

Other specializations in pharmacy practice recognized by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties include: cardiovascular, infectious disease, oncology, pharmacotherapy, nuclear, nutrition, and psychiatry.[1] The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy certifies pharmacists in geriatric pharmacy practice. The American Board of Applied Toxicology certifies pharmacists and other medical professionals in applied toxicology.

Comments

Pharmacy

Pharmacy (from the Greek word drug) is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences, and it is charged with ensuring the safe use of medication. The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications on the orders of physicians, and it also includes more modern services related to patient care, including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information. Pharmacists, therefore, are experts on drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize medication use to provide patients with positive health outcomes.

Pharmacists are highly-trained and skilled healthcare professionals who perform various roles to ensure optimal health outcomes for their patients. Many pharmacists are also small-business owners, owning the pharmacy in which they practice.

Pharmacists are represented internationally by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). They are represented at the national level by professional organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA), and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). See also: List of pharmacy associations.

In some cases, the representative body is also the registering body, which is responsible for the ethics of the profession. Since the Shipman Inquiry, there has been a move in the UK to separate the two roles.

Comments

10 do’s and don’ts to live long

Don’t oversleep: More than eight hours is not healthy.

Be optimistic: It decreases the risk of early death by 50%.

Lose weight: Obesity is linked to diabetes and heart disease.

Get a pet: Pets reduce levels of the stress hormone.

Be rich: Higher incomes make it easier to engage in health promoting behaviours.

Quit Smoking: Most common causes of elderly death.

Chill out: The anger prone are 6 times more likely to have heart attacks by the age of 55.

Pop antioxidants: Cinnamon to blueberries, they ward off cell damage and delay aging.

Marry well: Pick a spouse whose family shows longevity and it may help your kids.

Exercise a lot: Maintaining weight will give you energy and ward off stress.

Comments

Clinical IT congress

This world is increasingly being invaded by IT industries. Most of the developed countries have booming IT industries. IT industry is one of the major factor that determines the status of a country. In a manner that would give a place for discussion for the IT industry, I have made this site as clinicalitcongress. This name is named after the fusion of IT and clinic and congress. As the name implies, this site would not work only as a platform for IT discussion or congress, but a platform for the discussion for medical and clinical issues, too. You can never ignore the amount of impact medical health issues give in this society and the government. It is also one of the major factor in determining the living standard of a a country. IT with clinical health issues are the hottest topics in this world and hence the name clinicalit. Put one more keyword called congress, and it comes clinicalitcongress. This site promises to do much discussion on the hottest issues in this world with an approach towards giving a new solution.

Comments

« Previous entries