Modern medications that exist today are rooted in centuries of humanity and history. The history of medicine shows how societies have changed in their approach to illness and disease from ancient times to the present. Modern medications and medical traditions include those of Babylon, China, Egypt, and India. The concept of how to explain the cause of disease was not replaced by the germ theory until the early 1800’s, leading to effective treatments and even cures for many infectious diseases. The mid-1900’s was characterized by new biological treatments, such as antibiotics, which are considered modern marvels. These modern advancements, stacked on top of ancient, primitive medicines along with developments in chemistry and genetics, led to the modern medicines we take today.

Medications today are known by a generic and brand name. At times it can be confusing and cause misunderstanding as to whether there are one or two different medications. Briefly, not all medications have a generic equivalent. Without getting into the weeds, drug manufacturing patents, differing timetables for when a generic equivalent can legally be produced all play a part in the development of modern medications. Packaging, shape / color of a pill and marketing play parts in the cost of modern medications. Generic drugs are just as safe and effective as the brand name drug equivalent and are most times vastly less expensive. New medications are advertised daily and advancements in medication development continue as they have for centuries, but at a much faster pace!

We all have a part to play in how medications are used, advance our quality of life, and shape our futures, just as the people have throughout history.

The Nurse