What is the base unit of measurement in pharmacy for weight?

The base unit of measurement for weight in pharmacy is the gram (g). It serves as the standard unit in the metric system, which is widely used in pharmaceutical practice due to its precision and ease of conversion. The gram is fundamental for measuring medication dosages, which are often calculated based on body weight or the concentration of substances in solutions.

Pharmacists and healthcare professionals rely on the gram to ensure accurate dosing, as many medications are prescribed in milligrams (mg), which are a fraction of a gram. This system minimizes the potential for error in medication measurement, ultimately enhancing patient safety. Other units, such as ounces, pounds, or kilograms, are either larger or less precise for the scale of measurement typically required in pharmacy practice. Therefore, using grams facilitates clarity and accuracy in medication preparation and dispensing.