Science / Chemistry Lessons / Experiments Using Supplies from Your Local Pharmacy

You can assemble a full science course of science lessons and experiments linked to curriculum objectives with simple inexpensive, supplies from your local pharmacy. You will not need a special license to purchase these supplies Here is a shopping list for inexpensive supplies from your local pharmacy or supermarket pharmacy. You can use these lesson with almost any age with modifications.

assorted vitamins and pain relievers with different coatings (capsule, caplets, tablets, etc.)
Give each student a label from different medicines, herbs and vitamin bottles. Have them analyze the ingredients for additives, active ingredients, composition, dyes, etc. Students can also evaluate safety, effectiveness, proper usage, etc. Students should compile a 'medicine booklet' using each other's information.

Experiment to demonstrate solubility as well as how medicine and vitamins work on the body. Time how long it takes the various pills to dissolve and enter the bloodstream. I would use these for demonstration or group work only and closely monitored, as students may be tempted to take them. Give each group a paper cup with water in it. Give each one a tablet to drop in the liquid. At a countdown, everyone drops them in together. Students proceed to time each tablet to see how long it takes to dissolve.

Extend this to an ecology lesson by allowing the water to evaporate. Note what is left. Is there any remnant of the pills? This shows that what goes in to our environment (rivers, lakes, streams) stays in.

glycerin HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH or sugar alcohol:
Glycerin is basically biodiesel fuel. It has a sweet taste and it used to coat pills to make them taste better and easier to swallow. Debate with students the advisability of using an alcohol based product for ingested products. This thick liquid can also be used to demonstrate viscosity of liquids. Demonstrate it by adding it to dish soap and water to make super sturdy bubbles.