Research the history of Pharmacology and compare the apothecary method vs. the current methods of dispensing medications.  Describe the different forms of medications and if a prescription is required for that medication.

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The history of pharmacology spans centuries, with many different methods being used to prepare and dispense medications over the years. Initially, medicines were prepared by apothecaries who mixed various ingredients together in order to create remedies for specific ailments which could then be sold directly to customers – this was known as the “apothecary method”. This process largely relied on trial and error as it often involved combining herbs, roots or other natural substances without necessarily knowing how or why they would have an effect on a specific condition.

Fast forward several hundred years later and we now have more sophisticated forms of medication that are prepared using standardized protocols and exact dosages. These can come in the form of pills, tablets, suspensions, syrups etc depending upon what is needed for a particular treatment plan. In terms of prescriptions themselves though typically any form of medication which contains controlled substances (such as opioids) will require written authorization from a licensed physician before they can legally be dispensed by pharmacies though there are certain exceptions such as OTC cough syrup which may contain codeine but do not require a prescription due its low dose within the mixture.