Development of Pharmacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Past - an Overview

Background: Alternative The topic of this article is the development of pharmacy in the Middle Ages. Objective: The aim of this paper is to bring readers closer to the development and importance of pharmacy and health activities in general of this century. Methods: This is sistematic review of the published papers about historical facts about development pharmacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past. Results and Discusion: There are few documents that speak and testify about health and hygiene data and opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Middle Ages and the time of the independent Bosnian state, because very little was written and mostly knowledge was transmitted by narrative. Bosnia, as an independent state, was first mentioned in the Charter of Kulin Ban in the 12th century. The Charter was sent to the Republic of Dubrovnik and provided safe passage for merchants through Bosnia and tax exemption. The Republic of Dubrovnik also had many influences on the development of all social conditions, including medicine and pharmacy. Doctors and pharmacists were able to come to Bosnia unhindered and engage in treatment and the sale of medicines, without having to fear whether they would pay taxes to the state or be robbed. Conclusion: Until Bosnia came under Ottoman influence, treatment in Bosnia was rather primitive, the number of pharmacies and health facilities was minimal, and hygienic conditions were rather poor. Folk medicine and spells were mainly practiced, which were passed down from generation to generation, by narrative tradition. Only with the arrival of the Ottomans, hospitals and pharmacies began to open, and the health care system was better regulated.