What is the apothecary in Romeo and Juliet?

In Romeo and Juliet, the apothecary is a character who sells poisons and other drugs. He is first encountered by Romeo, who is seeking a poison to kill himself after being banished from Verona for killing Tybalt. The apothecary is initially hesitant to sell Romeo the poison, but eventually relents when Romeo offers him a large sum of money. The apothecary's role in the play is relatively minor, but he plays a significant role in setting up the tragic events that follow.