10 Pharmacy Quotes That Will Make You Rethink the Profession

From 19th-century English romantic poets, to reggae musicians, to Twitter users, many have commented on pharmacy, offering funny, quirky, and sometimes negative musings.

Here are 10 pharmacy-related quotes that are sure to enlighten and amuse:

Quote #1

"It is easy to get a thousand prescriptions, but hard to get one single remedy" — Chinese Proverb

Quote #2

"Rogue Internet pharmacies continue to pose a serious threat to the health and safety of Americans. Simply put, a few unethical physicians and pharmacists have become drug suppliers to a nation"— Dianne Feinstein, US Senator for California

Quote #3 “Alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical drugs are legal, but they can hurt a lot of people.” — Ziggy Marley, reggae musician

Quote #4

"I entered the work force cleaning breast pumps at a pharmacy! It was a part-time gig while I was at school...no interview required"— Chris Hemsworth, Australian actor

Quote #5

"Water, air, and cleanness are the chief articles in my pharmacy.” — Napoleon Bonaparte, 19th-century French military leader and emperor

Quote #6

"When somebody follows you 20 blocks to the pharmacy, where they watch you buy toilet paper, you know your life has changed."— Jennifer Aniston, actress

Quote #7

Quote #8

"He who takes medicine and neglects diet wastes the skill of his doctors."— Chinese proverb

Quote #9

"Rule #1 of life. Do what makes YOUR area manager happy."— Twitter, @MrDispenser

Quote #10

"Poisons and medicine are often the same substance given with different intents."— Peter Mere Latham, 19th-century English physician and educator

While the 19th-century quotes and proverbs reference holistic health and express skepticism about the pharmacy profession, today’s quotes mention Internet pharmacies, harmful prescription medicines, and the prevalence of chain pharmacies.

As the pharmacy profession and attitudes toward it evolve, pharmacists are at the forefront of many important issues, including drug safety, affordable health care, and customer service. Just as we learn about past attitudes toward pharmacy by reading old quotes, it is interesting to consider what future historians will deduce from reading the quotes of today.