Pharmacy (from the Greek φάρμακον = drug)
is the profession of compounding and dispensing medication. More
recently, the term has come to include other services related to
patient care including clinical practice, medication review,
drug information, etc. Some of these new roles are now mandated
by law in various legislatures. Pharmacists, therefore, are 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
Hygeia, conical measures, and caduceuses in their logos. Other
symbols are common in different countries such as the green
Greek cross in France, and the Gaper in The Netherlands.
