Medicinal chemistry has evolved from ancient practices using plant and animal parts to modern tablet forms. Charaka in the 3rd-4th century wrote one of the first books on medication, and Susruta in the 7th century is considered the father of modern chemistry, writing another influential early text. Developments like microscopes enabled more research on medicines, leading to improved solid and liquid forms. Today, drugs are classified based on their actions and delivered to patients in tablets, syrups, ointments and other methods based on modern needs and formulations.