Even shops come and go. But there are always exceptions to the rule and the Vittoriosa Pharmacy, in Vittoriosa, is one of them as the pharmacy is over 100 years old. Though its licence is around 110 years old, its story goes back to the 17th century. "It originated from the dispensary in the Knights' Infirmary. When this moved to Valletta the dispensary remained open for some 225 years, at first beneath the cloister of Santa Scolastica but, later in a nearby road. Between 1530 and 1758, in fact, it was served by seven aromatari, as the pharmacists were then known," Mr Grima explained. In 1781, there was only one pharmacy shop in Vittoriosa. It was run by an apothecary, who prepared medicine by grinding ingredients, such as roots of plants and even pieces of human skulls. They also mixed ointments and dispensed prescriptions. At the beginning of the 20th century, the pharmacy was called Vittoriosa Dispensary and until the end of WWII was situated at 47, Victory Square, Vittoriosa,
The pharmacy is now situated almost adjacent to the Inquisitor's Palace and still retains its old look from the outside. Its furniture includes original mahogany showcases with glass panes and the typical pharmaceutical jars and phials on shelves. Vittoriosa Pharmacy continues to cater for the health, beauty and well being of the people of Vittoriosa and its many visitors everyday.
