Although Healthway Pharmacy has been practicing the art of compounding for nearly 20 years, the origin of pharmacy is as ancient as man on earth. Pharmacy’s history parallels that of the history of civilization. As civilization grew, pharmacy became necessary as man desired protection from pain, disease, injury and death. Until the 20^th century, pharmacy was all compounding (custom-made medications). It was in the preparation of the medicinal materials that the art of the apothecary originated.

Specialization first occurred in the early 9^th century in the civilized world around Baghdad. Over time it gradually spread to Europe as alchemy evolved into chemistry and doctors began prescribing medications to patients. Pharmacists then began compounding these prescriptions and producing them in mass quantities for general sale. It was not until the 19^th century that there was a distinct difference between the pharmacist as a compounder of medications and the physician as the therapist.

In the 1900s, the entry of the pharmaceutical industry resulted in large-scale production of pharmaceuticals with greater uniformity and production efficiency. The compounding formulations slowly gave way to manufacturing formulations. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, approximately 60 percent of all medications were compounded. Then in the 1950’s and 1960’s, with the creation of commercial drug manufacturers, compounding declined. It was during this time that a pharmacist, known as a compounder or apothecary, became known as a dispenser of manufactured drugs.

In the 1980s, and especially in the 1990’s, physicians and patients came to realize, once again, the benefits of preparing customized medications to meet specific patient needs. Today an estimated 43,000 prescriptions are compounded daily, or one percent of total prescriptions dispensed.

The virtual disappearance of the preparation and compounding of medicines is the most notable change in pharmacy history. Another change that has occurred is what the pharmacist now actually knows. Most pharmacists now only know the facts such as the shelf life of the medication, the effects on the drug when exposed to light, and the reliability and reputations of the manufacturers. All of these changes meant that the pharmacist’s education and activities had to undergo changes as well. The scientific education of the pharmacist increased and therefore became more demanding. Also, their role in the provision of health became more and more restricted. Moreover, they were increasingly subject to government and institutional requirements that diminished the importance of the patient-pharmacist relationships. Also, they were under heavy competition from chain and department stores, which demeaned both the role and the dignity of the pharmacist as a health-care professional.

Even with the popularity of compounding growing again, only a few pharmacists can be known as a compounder or apothecary because compounding requires much time, expertise, equipment and chemicals not available in most pharmacies. Today, custom compounding pharmacies are on the rise. Medical institutions, doctors, and veterinarians realize more than ever the importance of tailoring an individual’s medications to meet their unique needs. This has allowed many pharmacists to once again look out for the well being of the patient and go back to the roots of practicing pharmacy. Healthway Compounding Pharmacy is proud to offer you this very specialized service.