In the early 1900s when most medicines were still being produced by hand in laboratories, pharmacist Abdi Ibrahim Barut founded a firm for the manufacture of patent medicines. Called Abdi Ibrahim Müstahzarat-i Ispençiyariye, it was the fifth of its kind in Turkey, after Beþir Kemal, Ethem Pertev, Hasan Rauf and Kanzuk. Production commenced in 1919 with Strengthening Syrup, Excellent Laxative and Bromo-Valerin, and this family firm is today still run by Abdi Ibrahim's grandson, Nezih Barut, himself a pharmacist and chairman of the board. In December last year the company established a museum at its modern factory.

Many inhabitants of Istanbul will recognise this museum the moment they see it as Halk Eczanesi, a pharmacy which served the people of Heybeliada island from 1903 onwards. The entire shop, including the shop front, clock, cash register and stock of medicines, has been reconstructed in the factory grounds at Hadimköy. Halk Eczanesi was first opened in 1903 by pharmacist Yusuf Süleyman Adali, and later taken over by the Prokoz family, who ran it for the next 40 years, before selling the business to the Gürçays. All the subsequent owners kept the original name over the years.

Toxic medicines are kept in the red-painted sections of the cabinets, which although dilapidated from long use, are still marvellous examples of rustic workmanship. Nezih Barut explains that the firm wishes to contribute to the preservation of Turkish pharmaceutical history for future generations, and hopes to extend the collection still further. To visit this fascinating pharmacy museum, call (0212) 272 57 11.

* By Tansel Tuzel