The difference between Medicine and Pharmaceutical

When used as nouns, medicine means a substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way, whereas pharmaceutical means a pharmaceutical or pharmacological preparation or product.


Medicine is also verb with the meaning: to treat with medicine.

Pharmaceutical is also adjective with the meaning: of, or relating to pharmacy or pharmacists.

check bellow for the other definitions of Medicine and Pharmaceutical

  1. Medicine as a noun:

    A substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way.

  2. Medicine as a noun:

    A treatment or cure.

  3. Medicine as a noun:

    The study of the cause, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease or illness.

  4. Medicine as a noun:

    The profession of physicians, surgeons and related specialisms; those who practice medicine.

  5. Medicine as a noun:

    Ritual Native American magic used by a medicine man to promote a desired outcome in healing, hunting, warfare etc.

  6. Medicine as a noun:

    Among the Native Americans, any object supposed to give control over natural or magical forces, to act as a protective charm, or to cause healing.

  7. Medicine as a noun (obsolete):

    black magic, superstition.

  8. Medicine as a noun (obsolete):

    A philter or love potion.

  9. Medicine as a noun (obsolete):

    A physician.

  10. Medicine as a noun (slang):

    recreational drugs, especially alcoholic drinks

  1. Medicine as a verb (rare, obsolete):

    To treat with medicine.

  1. Pharmaceutical as an adjective (medicine):

    Of, or relating to pharmacy or pharmacists.

  1. Pharmaceutical as a noun (medicine):

    A pharmaceutical or pharmacological preparation or product; a drug.