ABSTRACT
The application of medicinal substances to the skin is a concept doubtless as old as humanity, the Papyrus records of ancient Egypt describes variety of such medication for external use. Galen described the use in Roman times of a forerunner of today’s vanishing cream. Medications are applied in variety of form reflecting the ingenuity and scientific imagination of pharmacist through centuries. New modes of drug delivery have been developed to remedy the shortcomings of earlier vehicle or more recently to optimize drug delivery. The first official ointment appearing in the USP of 1820 consist of lard. Medications are applied to the skin in the form of ointments, creams, pastes, lotion, gels, and plasters (John et al., 1980).
