Farmacijos

Farmacijos is the field that studies medicines and their use. It encompasses the discovery, development, production, quality assurance, regulation, and rational use of pharmaceutical products. In Lithuanian context, farmacija refers to both the science of medicines and the professional practice of pharmacists who prepare, dispense, and advise on medicines, while ensuring patient safety.

Core subfields include pharmaceutical chemistry (design of active compounds and dosage forms), pharmaceutics (formulation and manufacturing of medicines), pharmacology (drug actions on living systems), toxicology (drug safety and risks), pharmacognosy (medicines from natural sources), and pharmaceutical analysis and quality assurance. Regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance (drug safety monitoring) are also essential, ensuring medicines meet standards and remain safe for public use. Pharmacy practice covers the direct patient-facing aspects of the field, including community and hospital pharmacy, dispensing, counseling, and medication management.

Education and profession typically lead to degrees in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences, followed by licensure or registration to practice. Career pathways span community and hospital pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry (research, development, manufacturing, quality control), regulatory agencies, and academia.

History traces farmacijos from ancient apothecaries to modern regulated regimens, with advances in science and technology driving better drug discovery, formulation, and safety testing. Current trends emphasize access to medicines, generic and biosimilar competition, personalized and precision medicine, digital tools in prescribing and supply chains, and strengthened pharmacovigilance to safeguard public health.