Pharmacopoeia

Pharmacopoeia (also spelled pharmacopeia) is a book containing directions for the identification of compound medicines, and published by the authority of a government or a medical or pharmaceutical society.

Description

In a broader sense, it is a reference work for pharmaceutical drug specifications. It includes texts on the page named Monograph that describes an individual drug. The term might also refer to a stock of an apothecary's shop.

History

The concept of pharmacopoeia has its origins in the ancient times, as a form of standardization and quality control for medicines. The first known pharmacopoeia was written in the 1st century AD by Pedanius Dioscorides, a Greek physician. The word derives from the Greek, pharmacon (meaning "drug") and poiein (meaning "to make").

Modern Pharmacopoeias

Today, several nations have their own pharmacopoeia, and there are also international pharmacopoeias such as the European Pharmacopoeia.

National Pharmacopoeias

• British Pharmacopoeia
• United States Pharmacopeia
• Japanese Pharmacopoeia
• Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China

International Pharmacopoeias

• European Pharmacopoeia
• International Pharmacopoeia

See also

• Formulary (pharmacy)
• Materia medica
• Pharmacy
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacology

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