Pharmacy
Definition
Pharmacy, pharma for short (Greek pharmakon: remedy / medicine) or (Greek pharmazeutik: pharmacotherapy), known in German also as Arzneikunde, is an interdisciplinary science. It deals with the composition, effect, development, testing, manufacture and dispensing of medicinal products. It brings together aspects of various natural sciences, above all chemistry, biology and physics, with medical topics.1
Manufacturing
Today's manufacturing processes for chemical compounds, which are used, for example, as active substances for pharmaceutics and for the manufacture of novel medicines, are based on biotechnologies, also known as biotechnics or biotech for short. Biotechnology likewise combines findings from different research sectors. Microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics and engineering sciences are all put to use here. The basis is formed by chemical reactions catalysed by enzymes, either free or present in cells. This process is also known as biocatalysis or bioconversion.2
Both biotech and pharmaceutical companies manufacture medicinal products. However, the medicinal products manufactured by biotech companies are derived from living organisms, whereas those manufactured by pharmaceutical companies are generally chemically based. The hybrid form of both practices is also referred to as biopharma. Here, both biotechnological and chemical sources supply the components for the medical research and development of medicines. 3
Research and drug approval in pharmacy
Research in the pharmaceutical sector takes place in pharmaceutical companies and at universities alike. To obtain approval for a new medicine, it must be authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or by the relevant medicines licensing authority. This is usually a lengthy process, with many years of research and development required before a pharmaceutical product is finally released for the market. The regulatory requirements also pose a major challenge in this sector.4
The development and research required to manufacture a new medicine is further divided into different phases. Basic research forms the foundation and covers all sub-areas required, from analysing the disease to synthesising the active substance. Building on this, preclinical research follows, in which a safety assessment and the metabolism of the extracted molecules are carried out. After this, the first three phases of clinical research begin. Following successful completion of the third phase, the medicine is finally approved. Once the medicinal product has received its marketing authorisation, the fourth and final phase starts, in which studies relating to the approved indication, dosage, route of administration and patient population are reviewed.5