This dictionary defines various terms typically used in pharmaceutical medicine. A new, 4th edition includes adaptations of the text to the steadily increasing regulatory requirements, particularly in the area of genetics/gene therapy, product quality (e.g., protection against falsified medicines) and of product safety (pharmacovigilance). Further evolving areas that are covered by the 4th edition are typical “grey zones” (health effects often borderline to medicinal products) such as cosmetics and dietary supplements where misleading information is prohibited on one hand but where any health claims need formal authorisation on the other. These but also other areas are reviewed and presented in an updated and – if justified – in an enlarged form.