oa Licensing of Physicians in Islamic Medicine

In Baghdad in 931 AD Caliph Al Muqtadir learned that a patient had died as the result of a physician's error. There upon he ordered his chief physician, Sinan Ibn Thabit bin Qurrah to examine all those who practiced the art of healing. In the first year of the decree more than 860 were examined in Baghdad alone. From that time on, licensing examinations were required and administered in various places. Licensing Boards were set up under a government official called Muhtasib or inspector general. The Muhtasib also inspected weights and measures of traders and pharmacists. Pharmacists were employed as inspectors to inspect drugs and maintain quality control of drugs sold in a pharmacy or apothecary.