College of Pharmacy

University of Sharjah

Introduction to Pharmacy Practice

and Drug Information

“Notes on drugs and preparations”

“The Pharmacy code of conduct “

Dr Abduelmula R Abduelkarem
 Notes on Drugs and
Preparations
Analgesics and anaesthetics:

 1804 morphine isolated from opium

 1832 Isolation of codeine
 1842 Ether used as an anaesthetic and later chloroform
 1876 salicylic acid used for its analgesic effects
 1899 Development of aspirin by Bayer
 1961 Development of ibuprofen
 1969 Ibuprofen marketed by Boots
 1983 Ibuprofen registered as an over-the counter drug in the
United Kingdom.

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 Antihistamines

1941 Phenbenzamine, the first histamine

antagonist that was shown to be safe to use in
humans
1943 Mepyramine was introduced
1946 Promethazine was synthesised
1973 Terfenadine, a non-sedating antihistamine,
discovered.

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Peptic ulcer healing drugs

1970 Cimetidine, a H2-receptor antagonist,

developed
1983 Ranitidine marketed
1979 Synthesis of omeprazole, a proton pump
inhibitor
1989 Omeprazole marketed.

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Antibacterial drugs

1929 Antibiotic activity of penicillin described

1935 Sulphonamides developed
1939–41 Synthesised penicillin
1944–5 Streptomycin and chlortetracycline
isolated
1956 Cephalosporin structure identified
1964 Cephaloridine marketed.

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Autonomic nervous system

1901 Isolation of crystalline adrenaline

1905 Acetylcholine synthesised
1926 Acetylcholine shown to be the neurotransmitter
in the parasympathetic nervous system
1946 Role of noradrenaline in sympathetic nervous
system identified
1947 Isoproterenol introduced as a bronchodilator
1948 Existence of alpha and beta receptors in
sympathetic nervous system identified
1955 Methyldopa
1964 Propranolol
1967 Salbutamol.
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Central nervous system

1912 Phenobarbitone
1937 Hydantoins
1952 Antipsychotic activity of chlorpromazine
described
1957 Imipramine found to have antidepressant
effects
1960 Chlordiazepoxide marketed as an
anxiolytic
1990s Development of selective serotonin re-
uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

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Endocrine system

1914 Crystals of thyroxine

1921–26 Isolation and crystallisation of insulin
1929 Isolation of oestrone
1934 Progesterone synthesised
1930–40 Isolation of different hormones from
adrenal cortex
1959 First oral contraceptive
2006 Inhaled insulin marketed
2007 Pfizer announces that it will no longer
market inhaled insulin due to marketing
issues.
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Anticancer agents and
immunosuppressants

1946 Anticancer effect of nitrogen mustards described

1951 Mercaptopurine, an anticancer agent with an
antimetabolite effect
1961 Azathioprine, an immunosuppressant
1970 Identification of paclitaxel
1992 Marketing authorisation for paclitaxel is granted
1990 Imatinib and trastuzumab developed
2006 Human papillomavirus vaccine hailed as the most
important cervical cancer development since cervical
screening.

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Therapeutic proteins produced
by recombinant technology
1982 Human insulin
1986 Human interferon alpha used in hepatitis B and C
1987 Human tissue plasminogen activator used in heart
attacks, human growth hormone
1989 Erythropoietin used in anaemia
1991 Granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating
factor used in neutropenia
1992–97 Human factors VIII and IX used in haemophilia
1994 Abciximab used for prevention of blood clot
1997 Rituximab approved for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
1998 Infliximab approved for Crohn’s disease and
arthritis.

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Adverse effects
1879–90 Sudden deaths during chloroform anaesthesia
1922 Jaundice associated with salvarsan
1937 People die after taking elixir of sulphanilamide which
contained the solvent diethylene glycol
1955 Children in the USA infected with a polio vaccine due
to a failure in the inactivation process
1961 Thalidomide – congenital malformations
1966 Chloramphenicol associated with blood dyscrasias

1997–99 Withdrawal of terfenadine and astemizole, the

first antihistamines with a lower frequency of sedation that
were marketed in the mid-1980s, due to increased risk of
cardiotoxicity when taken with other drug therapy

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2004 Withdrawal of rofecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, due to
increased cardiovascular events.

2006 Withdrawal of ximelagatran, the first oral

anticoagulant drug to be released since warfarin, due to
liver toxicity

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Development of pharmaceutical
regulation
United Kingdom
1963 As a result of the thalidomide tragedy, the Committee
on Safety of Drugs was established.
1968 Under the terms of the Medicines Act, the committee
was renamed as Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM).
The Act stated that medicines required a licence to reach the
UK market.
1989 Medicines Control Agency (MCA) created
1994 Medical Devices Agency created
2003 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
(MHRA) established, bringing together MCA and Medical
Devices Agency
2005 CSM became the Commission on Human Medicines
(CHM), which provides advice to the MHRA.
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European Union
1965 European directive for authorisation of medicinal
products for human use presented
1975 Scientific Committee for Proprietary Medicinal
Products for human use (CPMP) established
1993 Council regulation for the setting up of a European
system for marketing authorisation of medicinal
products and for the establishment of a European
agency
1995 The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) opens in
London, UK.

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United States of America
1906 US Pure Food and Drugs Act which required
information on contents and purity of medicines
1927 Food, Drug and Insecticide Administration takes
up regulatory functions
1930 Food, Drug and Insecticide Administration
renamed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
1938 As a result of the sulphanilamide elixir tragedy,
the Food Drug and Cosmetics Act was passed which
required approval by the FDA before a new drug product
was marketed
1988 Food and Drug Administration Act which
established the structure and responsibilities of the
agency.

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International

1989 At the WHO Conference of Drug Regulatory

Authorities (ICDRA) plans for discussions between
Europe, Japan and the USA on harmonisation started.

1990 The International Conference on Harmonisation

(ICH) was established. It is a forum of constructive
dialogue among the three regions which aims at
facilitating exchange, dissemination and
communication of information.

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UAE
Federal law No (4) of 1982 Re: Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
establishments,
UAE FEDERAL LAW NO: 4, 1983: The Pharmaceutical
Professions and Institutions
Federal law No (6) of 1986: Fighting of drugs and the like,
Federal law No (35) of 1962: Organization of the affairs of
Industry,
Federal law NO 20 of 1995 : Medicines and Products Derived
from Natural Sources
Requirements for granting UAE Pharmacy license by Pharmacy
committee in MOH
Guidelines and minimum standards for Good Pharmacy
Practice (GPP) in UAE Pharmacies

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In 1998, the Ministry of Health started an ambitious
review of health care ethics.

It is in line with the Ministry of Health’s professional

general code of conduct for personnel and promotes and
protects the interests of patients in accordance with
Muslim values and internationally recognised health care
ethics.

This code is based upon three core values; Competence

Respect and Integrity. The Pharmacy code of conduct
has been written according the same structure.

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 Principle 1- Competence
A competent pharmacist will provide the best
pharmaceutical care possible in a scientific and
compassionate way. It requires the pharmacist to
have the necessary skills for the job.

Among other things, a competent Pharmacist will;

1-1- maintain his / her professional competence through
lifelong learning.

1-2- be able to communicate with the patient or their carer

(this may be via an interpreter, see also Respect 2-2).

1-3- Act as the patients advocate through their active

participation in multidisciplinary teams.

1-4- Make it their duty to review, maintain and improve their

knowledge and abilities as new medications and other
health technologies become available. 19
1-5- Ensure that they receive adequate in-service
training for any service they are asked to perform.

1-6- Have membership of an internationally recognized,

pharmaceutical organization.

1-7- Have a knowledge of first-aid, especially if they

work in hospitals and health centres

1-8- Take responsibility for the competency of the staff

who they directly supervise

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 Principle 2- Respect
A pharmacists prime concern must be for the good of
every patient and other members of the community
Among other things, respect includes:
 Respect for the patients
 culture,

 race,

 class,

 gender

2-1- A pharmacist respects the cultural needs and unique

lifestyle of patients.

2-2- When the pharmacist does not have the necessary

competence in the language of the patient they must
ensure that a competent interpreter is available (see also
competence 1-2).
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2-3- A Pharmacist is always ready to advocate for the basic
rights of a patient.

Respect for the patients right to receive safe medicine

2-4- The patient should never be exposed to an unreasonable
or uninformed risk of serious drug related injury.

2-5- They should not supply a medicine if there is doubt as to

the quality, safety or effectiveness of a medicine for that
patient.

2-6- If there is any uncertainty about the interpretation of the

prescription the pharmacist should make every effort to
contact the prescriber to clarify the prescription and ensure
that it is safe.

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Respect for fellow professionals and
the profession of Pharmacy
2-7- A pharmacist should do nothing to undermine the
patient’s confidence in the prescriber.

2-8- A pharmacist must at all times adhere to the laws and

regulations applicable to the ethical practice of pharmacy in
the UAE.

2-9- A pharmacist takes responsibility for their own

professional activities and for all activities performed under
their direct supervision

Respect for the environment

2-10- All reasonable care must be taken when disposing of
unwanted medicines and chemicals and other materials.
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Principle 3- Integrity

The Pharmacist must be seen to be honest and fair in all their

dealings. They will never take advantage of their privileged
position for personal gain.

Amongst other things, integrity includes;

 Maintaining the confidentiality of the medical record

 Carrying out all responsibilities and duties in a fair and honest
manner
 Not taking advantage of their privileged position
 Professional independence

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