1. HISTORY OF THE PROFESSION OF PHARMACY IN INDIA

HISTORY OF THE PROFESSION OF PHARMACY IN INDIA: A TEACHER’S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

Welcome, future pharmacists and healthcare professionals!

The history of pharmacy is a fascinating journey that spans thousands of years, from ancient herbal remedies to modern pharmaceutical sciences. Understanding the evolution of the pharmacy profession is essential for every pharmacy student—it helps us appreciate our roots, understand our professional identity, and recognize the importance of the regulations and standards that govern our practice today. As a pharmacy educator with years of experience teaching the history and evolution of the profession, I have observed that students often find this topic dry and forgettable. Let me tell you: The history of pharmacy is the story of human civilization’s fight against disease.

In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the complete history of the pharmacy profession—from its ancient origins in Sumeria and Egypt to its development in India, including the pre-independence and post-independence eras. I will also cover the evolution of pharmacy education, the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy practice, and the professional associations that shape our profession today. By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of how pharmacy evolved into the respected profession it is today. Let us begin our journey through time!

Dpharmguru’s exam insights:

The history of pharmacy is frequently tested in pharmacy exams. Remember the key milestones: Sumerians (3rd millennium BC) recorded the first drugs on clay tablets. Hippocrates is the Father of Medicine. The first pharmacy shop opened in Baghdad (AD 754). The Pharmacy Act, 1948 established the Pharmacy Council of India. Mahadeva Lal Schroff is the Father of Pharmacy Education in India. These are classic exam questions!

PART 1: ORIGIN OF PHARMACY – WORLD OVERVIEW

1. Ancient Origins (3rd Millennium BC)

The pharmacy profession began around the 3rd millennium BC in Sumeria (modern-day Iraq). The Sumerians used cuneiform writing on clay tablets to record:

• Drugs of animal, plant, and mineral origin
• Prescriptions and methods of compounding medicines

2. Early Records of Medicine Preparation

• Babylonians (2600 BC): Prepared some of the earliest known medicines
• Ebers Papyrus (Egypt, 1550 BC): A 60-foot-long scroll that described:
  • 800 prescriptions and 700 drugs
  • Preparation and administration methods for medicines

3. Development in Other Ancient Civilizations

A) China

The text “Huangdi Neijing” (3rd century BC) described principles of pharmaceutical drug use.

B) India

• Ayurvedic medicine was documented around 800 BC
• Ancient Indian writings mentioned:
  • Drugs along with charms for treating diseases
  • The God of Medicine – Dhanvantari
• Charaka Samhita (1st century AD) described plant, animal, and mineral drugs used in treatment

C) Greece

• Hippocrates (460–370 BC): Known as the Father of Medicine. His writings (Hippocratic Corpus) listed 200–400 plant-based drugs
• Mithridates (134–63 BC): Experimented with poisons and antidotes
• Dioscorides (40–90 AD): Wrote “De Materia Medica”, a famous text on medicinal plants
• Galen (AD 160): Developed multi-ingredient formulations known as “Galenicals”

4. Pharmacy During the Islamic Era

• Pharmacy gained professional form during the 9th century around Baghdad
• It spread to Europe as Alchemy, which later evolved into Chemistry
• Initially, physicians made medicines with the help of assistants called “Pharmacopolae”
• Arabs separated medicine and pharmacy, allowing it to become an independent profession
• The first pharmacy shop opened in Baghdad (around AD 754) under Caliph Al-Mansur
• Under Caliph Al-Mamun (813–833 AD), pharmacists began to receive formal education

5. Pharmacy in Europe

• Frederic II (Roman Emperor, 1231): Divided medical work into:
  • Dogmatic medicine – diagnosis
  • Manual medicine – surgery
  • Pharmaceutical medicine – preparation and preservation of drugs
• The first medicine shop in London opened in 1345
• The term “Pharmacy” was used by Chaucer (1386) meaning “medical preparation of herbs”

6. “Chemists and Druggists” & “Apothecaries” (Europe)

• The term “Chemist and Druggist” was used from the late 1700s for people who sold and prepared medicines
• The word “Apothecary” referred to those who passed exams of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, established in 1617

7. Pharmacy in America

• The first hospital pharmacy was established in 1752
• John Morgan became the first hospital pharmacist

8. Legal Acts and Professional Titles (Britain)

A) Apothecaries Act (1815, Britain)

• Allowed qualified apothecaries to practice as general practitioners (called Licentiates)
• Assistants had to pass examinations to be eligible for compounding and dispensing medicines

B) Use of the Term “Pharmacist” (Britain)

• The word “Pharmacist” first appeared in England in 1834
• The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (1840s) officially adopted the term

C) Pharmacy Act (1852, Britain)

• Only qualified individuals could use the title “Pharmaceutical Chemist”
• A Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists was created

D) Pharmacy Act (1868, Britain)

• Made registration of pharmacists compulsory
• Restricted the title “Chemist and Druggist” to registered pharmacists only
• The word “Pharmacist” gradually replaced “Apothecary”

Dpharmguru’s exam insights:

British pharmacy laws are frequently tested. Remember: The Apothecaries Act (1815) allowed apothecaries to practice as general practitioners. The Pharmacy Act (1852) created the Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists. The Pharmacy Act (1868) made registration compulsory. These acts laid the foundation for modern pharmacy practice worldwide.

PART 2: HISTORY OF PHARMACY IN INDIA

The history of the pharmacy profession in India can be divided into three stages:

• Ancient period
• Pre-independence period
• Post-independence period

A) ANCIENT PHARMACY PROFESSION

1. Origin in Ancient India

• According to mythology, Lord Brahma was the first teacher of the universe and wrote “Ayurveda” around 5000 BC
• Sushruta, son of Vishwamitra, contributed to surgery and wrote Sushruta Samhita
• Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were the main Ayurvedic texts:
  • Charaka Samhita → focused on internal medicine
  • Sushruta Samhita → focused on surgical medicine
• Both Charaka and Sushruta studied and used over 1000 herbs

2. Vedic and Mythological References

• Lord Dhanvantari was worshipped as the God of Health
• The Rig-Veda mentioned the use of herbs and Soma, a plant used for healing and rituals

3. Spread of Ayurveda

• Ayurveda spread across Asia, especially with the rise of Buddhism
• Ayurveda became a traditional system of medicine in many Asian countries

4. Hospitals in Ancient India

• The concept of hospitals started during the rule of King Ashoka (226 BC)
• In Tamil Nadu (900 AD), there was evidence of organized hospital practices

5. Foreign Influence

• In 1583, Portuguese practitioner Garcia de Orta published his work describing Indian herbs (Colóquios dos simples e drogas da Índia)
• In the 15th century, British traders introduced the allopathic system to India
• During Muslim rule, Unani-Tibbi (Arabic system) flourished, while Ayurveda declined
• The first general hospital was set up in Madras (Chennai) in 1664
• By the end of the 19th century, Allopathy had become the dominant system under British rule

B) PRE-INDEPENDENCE PHARMACY PROFESSION (BEFORE 1947)

1. Early Developments

• The first chemist shop was opened by Scotch Bathgate in Calcutta (1811)
• Pharmacy practice followed the London Pharmacopoeia at that time
• The Bengal Dispensatory and Pharmacopoeia was published in 1841 by the Government of Bengal
• The Pharmacopoeia of India was published in 1868 under the editorship of Waring
• Mohideen Sheriff (1869) compiled vernacular names of Indian medicinal plants

2. Education and Training

• The first examination for chemist and druggist was held in 1870
• Formal training for compounders began in Bengal (1881)

3. Early Research and Production

• Research in Bombay (Mumbai) started as early as 1832
• Animal experiments for lymph (vaccine) were conducted in Madras (1879)
• The British Government established vaccine and plague production centers:
  • Haffkine Institute, Mumbai (1899)
  • King’s Institute, Madras (1905)

4. Beginning of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

• Bengal Chemical & Pharmaceutical Works – founded in 1901 by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray at Calcutta (Kolkata)
• Prof. T. K. Thakkar started a unit at Parel, Mumbai (1903) and later founded Alembic Chemical Works at Baroda, Gujarat (1907)
• Notable British-owned pharmacies in India:
  • Spencer & Co. (Madras)
  • Madon & Co. and Kemp & Co. (Bombay)
  • Whitehall Pharmacy (Calcutta)

5. Drug Import and Quality Issues

• Most drugs were exported in crude form and imported as finished products
• During World War I (1914–1920):
  • Imports slowed down
  • Low-quality and adulterated drugs were dumped in India
• To control this, the Dangerous Drugs Act (1930) was passed

6. Drug Enquiry Committee (1930–1931)

• Formed on 11th August 1930 by the Government of India
• Chaired by Col. R. N. Chopra
• The report (1931) recommended steps to improve pharmacy practice and control unethical practices

7. Legislation and Key Institutions

• The Drugs Bill (1940) was introduced by the British Government to regulate import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs
• It became the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (D&C Act)
• Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) was formed in 1941
• The first pharmacist post was created at KEM Hospital, Mumbai
• All India Pharmaceutical Conference (AIPC) was held in Banaras (1941), organized by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA)
• Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) was set up in Calcutta (1947) under Col. Chopra, with four scientific divisions

C) POST-INDEPENDENCE PHARMACY PROFESSION (AFTER 1947)

1. Initial Situation

• At independence (1947), pharmacy practice in India was unorganized
• There were no legal qualifications or educational standards for pharmacists

2. Pharmacy Act, 1948

• Passed to regulate pharmacy education and practice
• Established the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
• Each state had to form a State Pharmacy Council for:
  • Registering pharmacists
  • Controlling the practice of pharmacy in that state
• English was the medium of instruction for all pharmacy institutions

3. Growth of Education and Industry

• Pharmacy education grew slowly at first, but rapidly in later decades
• Today, India has one of the largest pharmaceutical industries among developing nations
• Many global pharmaceutical companies have collaborations, manufacturing, and R&D units in India

4. Statistics

• In 1978: Around 10,000 distributors and 1,25,000 retail pharmacies existed
• Currently:
  • Over 8 lakh registered pharmacists in India
  • Nearly 60,000 pharmacy students graduate every year
  • Diploma pharmacists form the largest working group in the profession

5. Modern Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

• India’s pharmaceutical sector is now:
  • 3rd largest in the world by volume
  • 14th largest by value
• The focus has shifted from dispensing to industrial and clinical roles

6. Recent Developments – e-Pharmacy

• e-Pharmacy means online sale of medicines
• Still in early stages but rapidly growing
• Popular platforms include: Netmeds, EasyMedico, Medlife, 1mg, Practo, Myra, and Apollo Pharmacy (online segment)

Dpharmguru’s exam insights:

The Pharmacy Act, 1948 is a landmark legislation in Indian pharmacy history. Remember: It established the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and State Pharmacy Councils. Before 1948, there were no legal qualifications for pharmacists. Also, remember that India is now the 3rd largest pharmaceutical market by volume—this is frequently tested!

PART 3: PHARMACY EDUCATION IN INDIA

1. Early Development

• 1835: First medical college in India – Madras Medical College – started professional training for students to treat patients with drugs
• 1836: Calcutta Medical College was started in Kolkata
• 1842: First Pharmacy College in Asia was started in Goa by the Portuguese
• 1874: Madras Medical College started the first 2-year “Chemist and Druggist Diploma”
• 1932: Mahadeva Lal Schroff (known as Father of Pharmacy Education in India) started a 3-year B. Pharm. program at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
• 1940: First M. Pharm. program introduced at BHU
• 1943: Sir Joseph Bhore Committee recommended a 3-tier system for pharmacy education
• 1944: B. Pharm. course started at Punjab University, Lahore
• 1945: Ph.D. program introduced at BHU
• 1947: Government introduced the Pharmacy Bill to control and standardize pharmacy education
• 1947: L. M. College of Pharmacy established at Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Before Independence (1947), only 3 institutes in India offered pharmacy degree programs

2. Pharmacy Act, 1948

• The Pharmacy Act (1948) was India’s first law to fix minimum educational standards for pharmacy practice
• Implemented by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
• Each state had to form its own State Pharmacy Council to register and regulate pharmacists
• Earlier, training focused mainly on compounding medicines; now, it includes theory, practicals, and hospital/industrial training

3. Present Pharmacy Degree Programs in India

4. Key Developments and Institutions

• JSS College of Pharmacy (Mysore – 1996; Ooty – 1997): Started M. Pharm. in Pharmacy Practice to train clinical-oriented pharmacists
• National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs): 7 institutes established by Government of India for advanced education and research
• By 1980s: 11 universities and 26 colleges offered pharmacy degrees
• By 2020: Over 2000 pharmacy colleges existed across India

5. Regulatory Bodies

Dpharmguru’s exam insights:

Pharmacy education milestones are frequently tested. Remember: Mahadeva Lal Schroff is the Father of Pharmacy Education in India. He started the first B. Pharm. program at BHU in 1932. The first Pharmacy College in Asia was started in Goa in 1842. The Pharmacy Act, 1948 established minimum educational standards. These are classic exam questions!

PART 4: PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN INDIA

1. Early Stage

• In ancient and medieval India, indigenous (traditional) medicines were produced and used on a small scale
• During British rule, allopathic medicines became more common and gradually replaced traditional systems

2. Beginning of Indigenous Pharmaceutical Industry

• 1892: Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works (founded by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray) became India’s first indigenous drug manufacturing industry
• By World War II (1939–1945), nearly 13% of India’s medicine demand was met by local Indian companies
• Around the 1930s, efforts began to produce synthetic bulk drugs in India

3. Impact of Patent Laws

• The British Patents and Designs Act, 1911 allowed strong product patents
• This gave MNCs an advantage, as they held most patents for new medicines
• Result:
  • In 1950, Indian companies had 62% market share
  • By 1970, it dropped to 32% due to dominance of foreign firms

4. Patents Act, 1970

• Introduced to reduce foreign monopoly and support local industry
• Major changes:
  • Only process patents (not product patents) were allowed for drugs and agrochemicals
  • Patent duration reduced to 7 years
• Other supportive laws:
  • Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), 1973
  • National Drug Policy, 1978 – encouraged local production of essential medicines

5. Market Share Growth

6. Achievements of Indian Pharma Industry

• India supplies low-cost, high-quality generic drugs worldwide
• Major exporter of AIDS and COVID-19 medicines
• Indian companies supply life-saving drugs to Africa, USA, and Europe
• The export value of drugs, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemicals exceeds ₹5000 billion
• Today, India is among the top 10 pharmaceutical markets in the world

PART 5: PHARMACY PRACTICE IN INDIA

Evolution of Pharmacy Practice (Four Stages)

PART 6: PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATIONS IN INDIA

Dpharmguru’s exam insights:

Pharmaceutical associations are frequently tested. Remember: IPA (1939) is the oldest professional body. AIOCD (1979) represents retail and wholesale pharmacists. IDMA (1961) represents Indian drug manufacturers. APTI (1966) represents pharmacy teachers. These are classic exam questions!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. Who is known as the Father of Medicine?

Hippocrates (460–370 BC) is known as the Father of Medicine. His writings (Hippocratic Corpus) listed 200–400 plant-based drugs.

2. Who is known as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India?

Mahadeva Lal Schroff is known as the Father of Pharmacy Education in India. He started the first 3-year B. Pharm. program at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1932.

3. What is the Pharmacy Act, 1948?

The Pharmacy Act, 1948 was India’s first law to fix minimum educational standards for pharmacy practice. It established the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and required each state to form a State Pharmacy Council for registering and regulating pharmacists.

4. Where was the first pharmacy shop opened in the world?

The first pharmacy shop was opened in Baghdad (around AD 754) under Caliph Al-Mansur.

5. What is the current status of India’s pharmaceutical industry?

India’s pharmaceutical sector is now the 3rd largest in the world by volume and 14th largest by value. India is among the top 10 pharmaceutical markets in the world.

6. What are the main pharmacy associations in India?

The main pharmacy associations include IPA (Indian Pharmaceutical Association), AIOCD (All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists), IDMA (Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association), APTI (Association of Pharmacy Teachers of India), and IHPA (Indian Hospital Pharmacists’ Association).

SUMMARY

The history of the pharmacy profession is a fascinating journey spanning thousands of years:

• Ancient Origins: Pharmacy began in Sumeria (3rd millennium BC) with drug records on clay tablets. Ancient civilizations—Egypt, China, India, and Greece—contributed to the development of medicinal knowledge.
• Islamic Era: The first pharmacy shop opened in Baghdad (AD 754), and pharmacy became an independent profession.
• European Development: The Apothecaries Act (1815) and Pharmacy Acts (1852, 1868) established professional standards in Britain.
• Indian History: Ancient Ayurveda (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita) laid the foundation. The Pharmacy Act, 1948 established PCI and standardized education. India is now the 3rd largest pharmaceutical market by volume.
• Professional Associations: Organizations like IPA, AIOCD, IDMA, APTI, and IHPA support the growth and development of the pharmacy profession.

As I always tell my students: “Understanding our history helps us appreciate our profession, recognize our responsibilities, and work towards a better future for pharmacy practice.”

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

• Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). (2022). History of Pharmacy. New Delhi: PCI.
• Pharmacy Act, 1948. Government of India.
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Government of India.
• Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA). (2022). History of Pharmacy in India. Mumbai: IPA.
• Subrahmanyam, C. V. S. (2019). A Textbook of Pharmaceutics. Vallabh Prakashan.
• Government of India. (2020). Pharmaceutical Industry in India: An Overview. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical concerns. Pharmaceutical regulations and guidelines may vary by region—always refer to your local regulatory authorities for specific requirements.

written by:
Dr. N. Sujith Kumar

Dr. N. Sujith Kumar is a pharmacy educator, Pharm.D graduate, and academic content creator from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK), where he completed his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree between 2015 and 2021. He has more than 7 years of experience creating pharmacy educational content, writing study materials, and reviewing academic articles for pharmacy students. He has also contributed guest articles to pharmacy education platforms, including PharmD Guru. At D.PharmGuru, his work focuses on simplifying complex Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharmacy) subjects into easy-to-understand notes, practical explanations, and exam-oriented educational resources for students across India. His areas of focus include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, and other core D.Pharmacy subjects.

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