noun a medicine that is protected by a patent and is typically sold over the counter without a prescription
In the history of medicine, patent medicines were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries before regulations were put in place to ensure their safety and efficacy.
Patent medicine refers to over-the-counter medications that are marketed with the claim of having specific health benefits, often without scientific evidence or regulation.
Patent medicines were often marketed with extravagant claims and colorful packaging to attract consumers.
Some alternative medicine practices may use the concept of patent medicine to market their products as natural remedies with unproven benefits.
The rise of patent medicines led to the need for regulations to protect consumers from potentially harmful or ineffective products.
In historical fiction novels, writers may include references to patent medicines as a popular form of medication during certain time periods.
Psychologists may study the impact of historical patent medicines on public health and attitudes towards medication.
Historians may research the marketing tactics and ingredients of patent medicines to understand their popularity in different time periods.
Pharmacists may study the evolution of patent medicines and their impact on modern pharmaceutical practices.
Medical researchers may analyze the effectiveness and safety of historical patent medicines to inform current medical practices.