Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
pharmaceutical
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Research and development research and discovery processes used for drug development
Observe the subtle effects of the anticancer drug Taxol inside a cell
The video thumbnail image shows an illustrated scale holding pill bottles. "Benefits" is on the left, hanging lower than "Risks & Side Effects" on the right.
Related Questions
Read Next
Aspirin pills.
7 Drugs that Changed the World
Photo of the antacid Tums
How Do Antacids Work?
Hand washing. Healthcare worker washing hands in hospital sink under running water. contagious diseases wash hands, handwashing hygiene, virus, human health
17 Questions About Health and Wellness Answered
Artwork for themes for Pro-Con articles.
Pro and Con: Prescription Drug Costs
Discover
All Saints Day. All Souls Day. Candles in cemetery in Poland on All Saints Day, November 1. All Souls Day, November 2. Christian church, All Hallows, Solemnity of All Saints, Feast of All Saints, purgatory, Roman Catholic church
7 Unique Burial Rituals Across the World
African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.
Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement
Agnes with a lamb near her feet. St. Agnes (Saint Agnes) design drawing for stained glass window by J&R Lamb Studios, ink, mount size 10.5 x 14.5 in.
Roman Catholic Saints
July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information.
Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?
Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,
Which Religion Is the Oldest?
Artist interpretation of a Space meteoroid impact. Meteor impact. Asteroid, End of the world, danger, destruction, dinosaur extinct, Judgement Day, Planet Earth, Doomsday Predictions, comet
10 Failed Doomsday Predictions
Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration
Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69

pharmaceutical: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/pharmaceutical
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Our medications are leaking into waterways — and may be changing fish behavior : Short Wave • Apr. 23, 2025, 6:50 AM ET (NPR)
Tariffs could pose risk to drug supply, expert says • Apr. 6, 2025, 2:57 AM ET (Taipei Times)

Facts

Also Known As medicine • drug • medicament

Photos and Videos

Research and development
research and discovery processes used for drug development
Observe the subtle effects of the anticancer drug Taxol inside a cell
The video thumbnail image shows an illustrated scale holding pill bottles. "Benefits" is on the left, hanging lower than "Risks & Side Effects" on the right.
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Jean-Pierre Garnier
French scientist and business executive
Daniel Vasella
Swiss doctor and businessman
Squibb, Edward Robinson
E. R. Squibb
American chemist
Dilip Shanghvi
Indian business executive
George Redmayne Murray
British physician
Adams, Roger
Roger Adams
American chemist