Mid 16th century (in an earlier sense). From post-classical Latin pharmaceuticus (adjective) of or relating to drugs or pharmacy from ancient Greek ϕαρμακευτικός from ϕαρμακευτής poisoner, sorcerer (from ϕαρμακεύειν to administer a drug or medicine, to practise sorcery (from ϕάρμακον poison, drug, medicine: see pharmaco-) + -της, suffix forming agent nouns; compare ancient Greek ϕαρμακεύς poisoner, sorcerer, in Hellenistic Greek also druggist, apothecary) + -ικός.