The drug trade in foreign countries : vol. XIV : reports from the consuls of the United States upon the laws and regulations governing : 1. the drug business : 2. druggists v. pharmacists : 3. exports of drugs and chemicals : 4. imports of drugs and medicines : 5. sale of drugs and medicines in lay stores : 6. disposal of prescriptions : 7. renewal of prescriptions : 8. practice of pharmacy / issued from the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, Department of State.

United States. Bureau of Foreign Commerce

Date:: 1898

Credit: The drug trade in foreign countries : vol. XIV : reports from the consuls of the United States upon the laws and regulations governing : 1. the drug business : 2. druggists v. pharmacists : 3. exports of drugs and chemicals : 4. imports of drugs and medicines : 5. sale of drugs and medicines in lay stores : 6. disposal of prescriptions : 7. renewal of prescriptions : 8. practice of pharmacy / issued from the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, Department of State. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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take aucl how they take it. In Belgium, as in all continental countries, the physician has a relatively clear field. He is little hampered by the existence of patent medi- cines. Few people attempt to cure themselv^es by simple remedies purchased already prepared. A doctor's prescription is considered indispensable. So far, tlierefore, as concerns the so-called patent medicines the doctor is an element of opposition to be considered. Druggists are interested in kee])ing out anything which competes with prescription compounding. These two reason may, in a measure, account for the absence of very many reme- dies which, if once introduced, would find a ready market and regular sale. The two classes of medicines which may be considered as jiresenting necessity for differ- ent methods of introduction are compound and simple remedies. The former, it seems to me, might, so far as their sale Avould not conflict with local regulations, be placed upon this market through the agency of the so-called droguistes, who are not really chemists, but still sell many of the commoner and coarser articles and bottled preparations found in American drug stores. I would say that they were much better prepared and more willing than the regular cljemists (French pharmaciens) to sell all kinds of patent medicines, such as remedies against rheumatism, and pain ointments, inhalers, inhaling apparatus, cod-liver oils, preparations of beef, wine, and iron, and other similar harmless preparations in general use. Very many American specialties of this order would find a good sale in Belgium if properly advertised and pushed. Of the other lines of drugs for which I am disposed to believe a marltet might be had, medicinal wine, fluids, extracts, and pills are the principal. All simple drugs which are used in the prescription department should be introduced through whole- sale drug houses. Very little advertising of American drugs has heretofore been attempted here, and such as is done is ineffective because of failure to employ the language, terms, weights, and measures of this country. All articles which are sold by weight or measure should be quoted in accordance with the metric system and prices should be expressed in francs. American circulars, untranslated and nnadapted to the needs of the country to which they are sent, are practically worthless. All medicinal preparations intended for popular use when sent to this country for sale should he accompanied by directions for use printed in the Flemish (Dutch) language; otherwise their sale will be limited to the comparatively small circle of French-speaking people. With proper advertising and reasonable distribution of free samples, I have not any doubt of the possibility of the introduction of many American drug specialties upon this market. There is a need for many of them, and the fact of their absence is almost entirely due to ignorance of their existence. Henry C. Morris, Consul. Ghent, March 22, 1898. BELGIUM. 1. THE DRUG BUSINESS. In Belgium the drug business is conducted indei>endently, and is not regulated by the Glovernment as to extent and number of stores. 2. DRUGGIST v. PHARMACIST. The drug business in Belgium is divided into two distinct branches, viz, pharmacy and drugs. The pharmacist prepares and sells all drugs for medicinal purposes, and has the sole right to deliver compounded prescriptions. He can not prescribe or administer medicine on his own authority, assume any other title than that authorized by his diploma, nor exercise his 7076 3

Licence and re-use

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