Difference between Pharmacy and Chemist

Many of our readers frequently ask us to clarify the difference between a pharmacy and chemist.

A lot of people may not realize that these are two separate things.

In this post, we will explain the difference between a pharmacy and chemist.

What Is the Difference Between Pharmacy and Chemist?

A pharmacy is a healthcare facility where licensed pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists dispense medications, provide health consultations, and offer various medical services such as immunizations and health screenings.

On the other hand a, chemist is a scientist who studies the properties, composition, and reactions of substances, often working to develop new materials or products, including medications and chemicals.

That being said let us look at pharmacy and chemist in more detail and why they are often used interchangeably.

How are Chemist and Pharmacy Related?

The terms chemist and pharmacy are used synonymously, particularly in countries like the UK and Australia, due to historical and linguistic reasons.

In the past, the profession of preparing and dispensing medications was closely linked to chemistry, as pharmacists (also called chemists) would often compound or mix medications from raw chemicals.

The Art of Dispensing by MacEwan, Peter, first published in 1888, better explains this, it reveals how the pharmacy profession in its early days was deeply rooted in the practice of compounding and mixing raw chemicals to create medications.

 Over time, the role of a pharmacist evolved, but in many English-speaking countries like Kenya, the term chemist stuck and is still used to refer to both the profession and the place where medications are dispensed.

In contrast, in other regions like the US, pharmacy is more commonly used to describe both the location and profession, while chemist refers more specifically to a scientist working in the field of chemistry.

Between Chemist and Pharmacy which one is better?

There’s a common belief that a pharmacy offers more services than a chemist, as pharmacies are thought to prepare and compound medications, while chemists are seen as places that only sell drugs and over-the-counter medicines.

However, in reality, some pharmacies don’t do compounding, and some chemists do.

Many people feel that the term pharmacy sounds more modern and professional, but when it comes to reaching a wider audience in Kenya—especially in informal settlements—many prefer to use chemist, as it’s a more familiar term.

In Kenya a facility located within a hospital is typically referred to as a pharmacy by default, while most retail locations tend to use the term chemist on their signage.

Types of Facilities and Their Likely Identifications

Let’s have a look at types of facilities and how these facilities identify;

  1. Hospital facility – Use purely pharmacy
  2. Community facility – Use chemist, pharmacy for a few.
  3. Wholesale facility –  Use their brand name, chemist or pharmacy
  4. Chain facility – use the brand name, chemist or pharmacy
  5. Internet or online services – Use their brand names

Final thoughts

In conclusion, while both chemist and pharmacy are used to describe places where medications are dispensed, their usage often depends on cultural preferences, location, and context. Despite the perceived differences, both terms serve the same essential purpose in healthcare, and understanding local language and preferences can help better connect with communities and meet their needs.

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