"patent medicine"의 정의 및 의미

What is a "patent medicine"?

A patent medicine refers to a type of medication that is typically sold without a prescription and is advertised as a cure for various illnesses or health conditions. In the past, these medicines were marketed with claims of effectiveness, often using catchy names and packaging to attract consumers. They became popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries before government authorities started to apply stricter standards for medical claims and ingredients. Patent medicines often has ingredients that were not mentioned or made claims that were not scientifically proven, leading to concerns about their safety and effectiveness. Today, the term "patent medicine" is sometimes used to refer to products that make exaggerated health claims without enough evidence.