BRIEF HISTORY OF

MEDICINE
PREHISTORIC
●According to an anthropologist, prehistoric
people used herbal medicines in treating illnesses.

●The medicine men during this time were called

witch doctors or shamans. Their job was to make
their tribe healthy and in order to perform it they
used plants as medicines, and cast spells and
charms.
EARLY
CIVILIZATIONS
The oldest prescription is from Sumerian and the
oldest medical writing is from Babylonian. Mental
diseases were well-known at the period and most
people believed that single deity was to blame.

●According to Herodotus Egyptians were

known as “the healthiest of all men, next to
the Libyans due to their dry climate and
notable public health system.

● One of the oldest medical systems in the

world is found in China. They use
acupuncture and herbal medicine.
GREEK & ROMAN EMPIRE
●Hippocrates was an ancient Greek doctor known as the Father of
medicine and made thorough observations of his patients.

●Galen was another ancient doctor of Pergamum who studied about

how human body works.

●The first scientist who accomplished exceptional scientific

dissections of human cadavers was Herophilus, a Greek physician
and anatomist.

● A royal physician under Seleucus/ Nicator of Syria was

Erasistratus who was also a Greek anatomist.
MEDIEVAL & RENAISSANCE
During this time, many excellent hospitals were founded. The
human body was considered sacred at the time, and
dissection was prohibited.

● The Islamic civilization made major contribution to the fields

of: anatomy, ophthalmology, pharmacology, pharmacy,
physiology and surgery.

● Transmission of medical knowledge from the Middle East

was another significant part of Renaissance medicine.
17TH - 19TH CENTURY
●The medical thermometer was invented by an Italian named
Santorio.
●Anton van Leeuwenhoek studied microorganisms, but had no idea
they were responsible for the diseases.
● Edward Jenner was an English Physician who pioneered the
development of the world’s first vaccine against infectious disease.
●Louis Pasteur created a way of sterilizing liquids such as milk and
wine. He also developed a vaccine for anthrax and immunized a young
boy bitten by a rabid dog.
●Robert Koch was the first person to discover the bacteria that causes
tuberculosis and cholera.
●X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen and were used with
stethoscopes. The doctors knew that proper handwashing and medical
instruments kill germs.
20TH & 21ST CENTURY
● Insulin was first used in treating patient.
● Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin. However, it was not
commonly used until 1940.
● The first artificial kidney and dialysis machine
was invented by Willem Kolf.
●The laser was invented.
●The first heart and kidney transplant was done in this period.
● Infectious diseases are controlled through vaccines.
● The deaths from heart diseases and stroke are reduced.
●Family planning is practiced for healthier mothers and babies.
 MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF MEDICINE
LESSON
Activity 2: Complete Me! 2
Directions: As a sort of review, I want you to complete the thought of the paragraph
inside the box by filling out the blanks with the correct word/s or name/s of persons
mentioned in the previous lesson about the History of Medicine.

According to an anthropologist, prehistoric people used _______________in treating

illnesses. One of the oldest medical systems in the world is found in China. They
used _____________and herbal medicine during early civilization.
The ancient Greek doctor _________________was considered as the Father of
medicine. The first scientist who accomplished exceptional scientific dissections of
human cadavers was ______________. During Medieval and Renaissance period
excellent _________ were founded. In 17th to 19th century many discoveries and
technologies were invented pertaining to health until now.
Major Classifications of
Medicine
LESSON 2
 As being mentioned in the previous lesson, medicine
and health products are defined as chemical compounds
or preparations for addressing health problems and
improve quality of lives. They form an indispensable
compounds of health systems in the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of disease and in alleviating
disability and functional deficiency.
Drugs can be categorized in many ways. Generally,
drugs are classified according to:
•Therapeutic classification
•Pharmacologic classification
•Chemical classification
•Amalgamated classification
•Legal classification
 Therapeutic Classification is a type of categorization
of drugs from a medical perspective and categorizes them
by the pathology they are used or intended to treat.
Here are some common drugs under therapeutic classifications:

●Analgesics are medicines known for their use as pain relievers. A medication that gives remedy
from pain without losing consciousness or being asleep. The two most common groups of painkillers
are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and opioids (narcotics), but there are many others.

●Antibiotics, also known as antibacterial are medications that destroy or slow down the growth of
bacteria.

●Antipyretic is a substance that reduces fever. The common antipyretics are ibuprofen, aspirin--
used primarily as analgesics but have antipyretic properties.

●Antacids are class of drugs used for conditions caused by the acid that is produced by the stomach
to relieve indigestion and heartburn or acid reflux. Common type of antacids that are available with
the following ingredients: aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, etc.
 Pharmacologic classification - describes a drug’s properties in a specific way. This is
necessary when determining treatment. This includes only those drugs that have the
same or similar mechanism of action but may differ in dosages, time action profile and
availability.

Under this are:

● Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors which are commonly prescribed

to cure illnesses such as heart problems, high blood pressure, prevents kidney
damaged associated with high blood pressure and diabetes. They help relax the
veins and arteries to lower blood pressure and hinder an enzyme in the body from
producing a substance that narrows the blood vessels. Losartan is the most
common example for this.

●Beta blocker is a class of drugs that work by blocking the action of adrenaline, a
hormone that is also called as epinephrine. By blocking the effect of the
sympathetic nervous system on the heart, they slow the heartbeat and relieve
stress on the heart. Beta blockers are used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.
 Chemical classification, a classification of
drug that is categorized from their chemical
perspective and structure.
Some of the common classes of drugs under this are:
●β-lactam antibiotics-these antibiotics contain a beta-lactam ring
in their molecular structure. Most of these antibiotics work by
inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis in the bacterial organism. These
are the most widely used group of antibiotics. Derivatives of
Penicillin are the examples.
●Alcohol- one of the most widely abused substances throughout
the world. It is a central nervous system depressant. It causes
severe long-term damage to the liver. Alcohol creates feelings of
pleasure and lowers inhibitions.
 Amalgamated
classification
• this class of medicine is formed by combining the
three classifications or principles (Therapeutic,
Pharmacologic and Chemical classifications)
mentioned above.
• Such drugs that belong to this class were made to
meet practical needs. The class of nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) is one such example.
This reduces pain, decreases fever, prevents blood
clots and in higher doses decreases inflammation.
 Legal classification or the Controlled Drugs. These drugs have high potential for
addiction and abuse. This classification was set under Republic Act No.9165 or The
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, to safeguard the physical and mental well-
being of the people particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs.

Some of the common drugs under this class are:

●Ecstasy or a “party drug” is an illegal. It is a synthetic drug classified as a stimulant

with potentially hallucinogenic properties that are made of the following:
*cocaine *amphetamine *rat poison.
*heroin *caffeine *LSD (Lysergic-acid diethylamide

●Methadone is used as a way of controlling addiction and lowers craving. It is a heavily

regulated drug due to its side-effects when consumed in large doses.

●Methamphetamine or “shabu” is used as stimulants. This was used for the soldiers to
endure in their battle during world war. From that on, the abuse of methamphetamine
became epidemic.
Activity 3: Med- Time

Directions: Identify the classification of each medicine. Write your answer in a

separate sheet of paper.

Substance/Medicine Description Classification

reduces pain, fever, and

1. Aspirin inflammation

helps open-up veins and

2. Beta blocker arteries to improve blood
flow

central Nervous System

3. Alcohol depressant and an
inhibitor

4. Antipyretic reduces fever

5. Methadone a way to curb addiction

and reduces craving
 PROPERTIES OF MEDICINE
LESSON
3

Activity 4: List Me

Directions: List down all the medicines or drugs that you are familiar with or available
at home. Are they soluble? What are their physical and chemical properties?
 What are the Drug's Physicochemical
Properties?
 The influence of various physical and chemical (physicochemical) features of the
chemical substance on the bio molecular that it interacts with is related to the ability
of a chemical compound to create a pharmacological/therapeutic action.

 Physical Characteristics

Drug action is caused by a physical characteristic of the drug

 Chemical Properties

Extracellularly, the drug responds through basic chemical processes such as

neutralization, chelation, and oxidation, among others.
What are the Various Physico-
Chemical Properties
?

 Solubility

 Hydrogen Bonding

 Ionization of Drug

 Surface Activity

 Protein Binding
Solubility

 Defined as the concentration of the dissolved solute in equilibrium with the

solid solute at a particular temperature.

• It is affected by the type of the solute and solvent, as well as

temperature, pH, and pressure.

• The atoms and molecules of all organic substances are held together by
various types of bonds (e.g., hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole, ionic, etc.)

 These forces are involved in solubility since it is the solvent-solvent, solute-

solute interactions that governs solubility
Importance of Solubility

 A pharmacist must understand the idea of solubility since it dictates the

production of liquid dosage forms, and the drug must be in solution before it
can be absorbed by the body to induce biological activity.

• To interact with receptors, the drug must be in solution form.

 Hydrogen Bond

 A dipole-dipole interaction between a hydrogen atom in a polar bond such as

N-H, O-H, or F-H and an electronegative atom such as O, N, or F.

• In a covalent link, dipoles are caused by unequal electron sharing between

atoms. Dotted lines represent weak links. HN-H......O, O-H......O, O-H......O,
O-H......O, O-H......O, O-H......O,

• Only water dissolves the chemicals that can form hydrogen bonds.
1. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding

 Because it happens between two or more molecules of the same or different

substance, the boiling point and molecular weight of the compound rise,
requiring more energy to separate the molecules for vaporization.

2. Intramolecular Hydrogen bonding

 H-bonding happens when two atoms in the same molecule form a bond.

 Chelation is a sort of bonding that occurs commonly in organic molecules.

• H-bond can sometimes form six or five-member rings.

• Salicylic acid has a lower boiling point because of this. o-nitrophenol C

O H H C O OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH
Ionization of Drug
 either weak acids or basic and can exist in either ionised or unionised state.
• Ionization = Protonation or deprotonation resulting in charged molecules.
• It is determined by its pKa and pH.
• The rate of drug absorption is proportional to the drug's concentration in
absorbable form, but not to the drug's concentration at the absorption site.
• Ionization form imparts good water solubility to the drug which is required
of binding of drug and receptor interaction
• Unionized form helps the drug to cross the cell membrane.
• Eg; Barbituric acid is inactive since it is strong acid. Barbituric acid, on the
other hand, has a CNS effect when it is 5,5 disubstituted.
Importance of Ionization of drug
 Weak acid at acid pH: because it is uncharged, it dissolves more lipids and flows more
easily through biological membranes. RCOOH = RCOO- + H+

 Weak base at alkaline pH: because it is uncharged, it is more lipid soluble and passes
through biological membranes more easily. RNH2 + H+ = RNH+
 Surface Activity
 Is a substance that, at very low concentrations, can reduce the surface tension of water.
• Surface active agents influence drug absorption, which is influenced by:
1. Surfactant's chemical composition
2. It has a high concentration
3. Its impact on the production of micelles and biological membranes.
• When you're in a lower conc. Because amphiphilicity reduces surface tension and
improves absorption, the rate of absorption was increased.
• In higher concentrations The rate of absorption was slowed by the addition of surfactant.
Applications
1.Hexylresorcinol's antihelmintic properties
2. Cationic quaternary ammonium compounds have
bactericidal activity.
3.Aliphatic alcohols have bactericidal activity.
4. Phenol and cresol have antimicrobial properties.
5. The micellar solubilization action of bile salt
solutions of approximately physiological
concentration considerably increases the dissolving
rate of weakly water soluble medicines like
grasiofulvin and hexestrol.
Protein binding

 The reversible binding of a protein to a non-specific and non-

functional location on a body protein that has no biological
effect.
Drug + protein Complex of protein and drug
• Depending on whether the medicine is a weak, strong, or
neutral acid, base, or neutral, it can bind to single or numerous
blood proteins (sereum albumin, acid-gycoprotien or
lipoproteins).
Albumin, which makes up more than half of blood proteins, is
the most important protein involved in drug binding.
IMPACTS OF MEDICINE TO HUMANS’ HEALTH, INDUSTRY AND TO
THE ENVIRONMENT
LESSON 4
Activity 5: What’s our label?
Product Information
Directions: Read the sample label to answer the following questions in a separate
sheet of paper. Only include the information provided in the label.

SUPPLEMENT FACTS W ARNING: Pregnant or nursing women,

Serving Size: 1 Tablet Individual taking medications or persons
who have a health condition should
Amount per Serving:
1,000 mg consult their doctor before using this
Vitamin C- 1,000 mg product.
Ingredients: Ascorbic Acid, IMMUNITY KEEP OUT OF REACH OF
M ethylcellulose, Sodium VI TAMI N C is a potent and an CHILDREN.
,Hydropropyll cellulose, tartaric essential nutrient that may support
acid.
immune, cardiovascular, and bone
health.
1. Name of product:
2. What is the purpose of the drug?
3. What is the recommended dose?
4. What are the ingredients?
5. How do you use the product?
6. What are the side effects?
7. Are there any warnings? What are they?
8. What should you do if something goes wrong?
9. What is the use-by date?
10. How should the drug be stored?
 Have you taken medicine before? How did it work to make you better? Does the doctor
know the right medicine for your sickness?

One medicine could be a pink liquid, another could be a mist, yet another could be a blue
pill, and yet another could come in a yellow tube. However, they all have the same goal: to
make you feel better when you're unwell. Living creatures in the modern world suffer from a
variety of ailments as a result of their lifestyle choices. Medicine is now the chosen first aid for
all diseases. Medicine has been used since prehistoric times and continues to be used today.
In the medical field, it is an ancient concept of development. Medicines are said to have the
ability to regulate diseases and devote themselves to the health and well-being of patients.

This lesson focuses on medicine and its impact to human’s health, environment and
industry.
 Human’s Health
The risks of medicines are the chances that something unwanted or unexpected could happen to you
when you use them. Here are some tips from the Food and Drug Administration and some of its public health
partners to help you weigh the risks and benefits when you make decisions about the medicines you use.
1. Talk with Health Care Professionals
2. Know Your Medicines- Prescription and Over-the-Counter
3. Read the Label and Follow Directions
4. Avoid Interactions
5. Monitor Your Medicines' Effects--And the Effects of Other Products That You Use
6. Weighing the Risks, Making the Choice

Industry
Improved access to medicines is likely to contribute not only to the well-being of families and individuals
but also to the economic growth and development in all societies. It has been widely advocated that
pharmaceutical multinational enterprises (MNEs) can play an important role to address this problem, as they
develop and supply a significant proportion of the drugs imported by low- and middle-income countries.
 ENVIRONMENT AND INDUSTRY

One major environmental contaminant is manufactured pharmaceuticals – things like cold medicines, antidepressants and
painkillers. These medications are consumed and metabolized by humans to treat a variety of diseases. However, traces of the drug
are left behind and are consequently sent down the drain in the form of bodily waste.
Treatment plants use aeration, settlement, chlorination and digestion to get rid of potential pollutants. However, these
processes do not entirely remove pharmaceuticals, and leftover contaminants are released into waterways where they can end up in
various ecologically sensitive places such as:
1. Drinking Water
Up to 5 percent of pharmaceutical elements are not removed by wastewater treatment and have been found in drinking water
reservoirs. Given the amount of water we drink, compounded pharmaceuticals in drinking water likely pose a threat to human health.

2. Ecosystems
Water discharged from treatment plants can reach aquatic environments like rivers, lakes and oceans. The organisms living in
and around these ecosystems are sensitive to the unnatural chemicals in pharmaceuticals and experience profound effects.
Today, there’s a drug to fix just about anything, and environmentalists are worried about the effects of a growing
pharmaceutical industry. However, there are plenty of eco-friendly options to treat an array of ailments. Some health problem needs
require something more powerful than a home remedy. Switching to a homeopathic doctor who encourages natural healing and
prescribes natural medications is the best, greenest option