ABSTRACT
Impairment among pharmacists was recognized as early as the 19th century. In 1888, the trade journal The Apothecary reported as follows:
I don't think the temptation to give way to dissipation is greater in the drug business than in any other profession, but it is a fact that while the employing druggists are, as a rule, men of more than average sobriety and of excellent moral character, the drug clerk, as a class, has two great and besetting vices—tippling and opium eating …. Perhaps confinement and the long hours first induce the drug clerk to resort to stimulants. Several with whom I have talked tell me that where they are obliged to do day duty and respond to night calls as well, they suffer from insomnia and get into the habit of taking a narcotic to produce sleep. (Karabensh, 1988)
