# A pharmacist says that a medicine they have made is a formulation. Describe what is meant by a formulation and explain why medicines are classed as formulations rather than pure substances.

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.8.1 Purity, formulations and chromatography · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. A formulation is a mixture that has been designed as a useful product
2. The components are mixed in carefully measured quantities to ensure the product has the required properties
3. A pure substance contains only a single element or compound, not mixed with any other substance
4. A medicine contains more than one component / is a mixture, so it cannot be a pure substance

## Key terms

- [formulation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/formulation)
- [pure substance](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pure-substance)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-pharmacist-says-that-a-medicine-3be564b6) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.