Pharmacy (from the Greek φάρμακον = drug) is the profession charged with ensuring the safe use of medication. Traditionally, pharmacists have compounded and dispensed medications on the orders of physicians. More recently, pharmacy has come to include other services related to patient care including clinical practice, medication review, and drug information. Some of these new pharmaceutical roles are now mandated by law in various legislatures. Pharmacists, therefore, are drug therapy experts, and the primary health professionals who optimise medication management to produce positive health-outcomes.

The symbols most commonly associated with pharmacy are the mortar and pestle and the (recipere) character. Pharmacy organisations often employ other elements, such as the Bowl of Hygieia, conical measures, and caduceuses in their logos. Other symbols are common in different countries such as the green Greek cross in France and Great Britain, the increasingly-rare Gaper in The Netherlands, and a red stylised letter A in Germany.

Disciplines

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

• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutical chemistry (often Medicinal chemistry)
• Pharmacy practice

More on [ Pharmacy ]

Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry News From Medical News Today

New Cell Removal Technique Could Make Drugs Cheaper
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700
A new method to remove dead cells from the cell cultures that are routinely used to manufacture protein-based drugs has been developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. Protein-based drugs are ever more being prescribed to treat various diseases. To produce these drugs, it is usually most efficient to harness the efforts of cells in mass culture which have been given the ability to produce the protein.
Finalists Nominated For The 2008 European Biotechnica Award
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700
The three finalists of the 2008 EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD have been determined. The biotechnology companies nominated are Cambridge-based Astex Therapeutics Limited (UK), GENEART AG from Regensburg (Germany) and immatics biotechnologies GmbH based in Tübingen (Germany). The prize, worth EUR 100,000, is awarded to innovative European biotechnology and life sciences companies.
Manhattan Research Announces Top 10 Product Sites Visited By Physicians
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700
Diabetes treatment brand sites from Januvia, Actos, Byetta, and Avandia are among the top pharmaceutical product websites in terms of primary care physician visitation, according to a new from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research (www.manhattanresearch.com). Breaking into this year's top product site list are Actos, Actonel, Amitiza, and Aciphex, proving to be successful in increasing physician awareness online.

Pharmacy / Pharmacist News From Medical News Today

Society Course Provides Intensive Introduction To Tabletting, UK
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700
Graduates and technical staff looking for an intensive introduction to tabletting and the associated processes are encouraged to register for the course Tabletting Technology for the Pharmaceutical Industry, organised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in partnership with the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
New Tool To Help Prevent Medication Mix-Ups Due To Look Alike/Sound Alike Drug Names, Announced By USP
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700
The U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention has announced a new drug safety tool designed to help patients, caregivers, pharmacists, physicians and others in avoiding medication errors that may occur because of drug names that look alike and/or sound alike. This "Drug Error Finder" is a searchable database of almost 1,500 commonly used drugs reported to be involved in medication mix-ups in the U.S. health care system since 2003.
Manhattan Research Announces Top 10 Product Sites Visited By Physicians
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700
Diabetes treatment brand sites from Januvia, Actos, Byetta, and Avandia are among the top pharmaceutical product websites in terms of primary care physician visitation, according to a new from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research (www.manhattanresearch.com). Breaking into this year's top product site list are Actos, Actonel, Amitiza, and Aciphex, proving to be successful in increasing physician awareness online.

Food and Drug Administration Press Releases

FDA Clears Test to Help Doctors Manage Heart Transplant Patients
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:19:00 -0000
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has cleared for marketing a non-invasive test that uses molecular expression techniques to assist doctors in managing heart transplant patients post-surgery for potential organ rejection.
FDA Approves First Bone Marrow Stimulator to Treat Immune-Related Low Platelet Counts
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:22:00 -0000
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Nplate (romiplostim), the first product that directly stimulates the bone marrow to produce needed platelets in patients with a rare blood disorder that can lead to serious bleeding.
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Mussel Products from Bantry Bay Seafood (August 15)
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:30:00 -0000
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against eating certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods, imported from Ireland, because they may be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Food and Drug Administration--Recalls

Interior Alaska Fish Processors, Inc. Recalls Santa's Smokehouse Brand Smoked Keta Salmon (August 13)
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:43:00 -0000
The recalled product was sold in random weight portions and packaged in clear plastic vacuum sealed bags with the Santa's Smokehouse "teriyaki style smoked keta salmon" label on it. The only batch subject to the recall will be labeled with the batch number '637', found on the Santa's Smokehouse label.
Manufacturer for Publix Brand Vanilla Wafers Issues a Recall for Undeclared Soy (August 15)
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:18:00 -0000
The manufacturer of Publix Vanilla Wafers is recalling a limited number of 12oz boxes of Vanilla Wafers with a code date of 030409A as they may contain undeclared soy. Persons who have an allergy to soy run the risk of a serious or possible life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the affected product. The UPC number may be found on the side label below the Nutrition Facts panel: Publix Vanilla Wafers, UPC: 41415-00609
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Mussel Products from Bantry Bay Seafood (August 15)
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:30:00 -0000
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against eating certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods, imported from Ireland, because they may be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

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