What was the first compound one could call a pharmeceutical?

Question

By whom?

Answer 1

Depends on how you define a 'pharmaceutical'. If you mean a synthetic, manufactured product which affects the body's physiology or biochemistry, then I have no idea.
There were such products before penicillin -, which was the first antibiotic drug. Aspirin is fairly long in the tooth as is quinine (both naturally occurring and synthetic. Ether and Chloroform were both used as anaesthetics in the nineteenth century; both were manufactured.
I'm sure Google could provide a much better answer.
The curative properties of quinine have been known for many centuries as have the paralysing properties of curare, which is now used medically.
The Chinese have practised herbal medicine for thousands of years.

Answer 2

I've not researched this question so I may be wrong but I always assumed penicillin was the first recognised pharmaceutical, before this was invented didn't people use to tie frogs round their necks and other odd stuff

Answer 3

My offering is NaCl. In prehistory man discovered that lack of this substance caused muscle cramps, and could lead to death. It was also found to be a preservative and an antiseptic of sorts.

Answer 4

Willow Bark (aka aspirin)