THE PRICE OF MEDICINES. 453 



1870. 



THE PEICE OF MEDICINES. 



(Chemist and Druggist's Almanac, 1870.) 



To discuss the various considerations that control the money- Cost of Medi- 

 value of medicines, compounded according to prescription, is to 

 enter on a delicate question, respecting which it is difficult to 

 take an unbiased view. The compounder, it will be said, is 

 himself an interested party, wishing both to magnify the 

 responsibility and difficulties of his occupation, and to show 

 reason why he should claim a high rate of remuneration. Yet 

 when we are told that remedies prescribed by a physician may 

 now be prepared in a co-operative store, and sold at prices far 

 lower than would be charged in an ordinary pharmacy, it is 

 not inopportune to review the circumstances which govern their 

 cost, or to consider the reasons, if any, that require for com- Trae Stand- 

 pounded medicines a rate of profit widely different from that 

 which would be remunerative in the case of other commodities. 



It is a fact not generally understood, that the chief cost of 

 many medicines lies in the time, skill or care required for their 

 preparation, and not in the mere value of the ingredients. The 

 latter are often of small intrinsic value, yet the duty of com- 

 pounding them should be intrusted to none but a well-informed 

 and careful pharmacist, familiar with the properties of the 

 substances prescribed, competent to identify and ascertain their 

 purity ; acquainted also with the best method of combining and 

 presenting them to the patient in a safe and convenient form. 

 These qualifications are personal ; they are to be acquired only 

 by the expenditure of time and money; and, inasmuch as they 

 are valuable, so they should command adequate remuneration. 



The small consumption of drugs is a circumstance enhancing Sma11 con- 

 cost ; their use is exceptional, for none will voluntarily take 

 medicine. Still the pharmacist must keep a stock, which, if his 

 business be a good one, may include from 1.500 to 2,000 articles, 

 exclusive of patent medicines, nostrums, perfumes, and cosmetics. 

 Of this number, a large proportion is but in rare demand. A 

 stock which consists of a vast variety of small items, some 



