Reference Works in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine – serie

This handbook offers a unique and comprehensive exploration of China's rich medicinal knowledge, and pharmaceutical practices over two millennia, and its complex history with narcotics since the 1800s. Featuring contributions from over fifty respected academics, medical historians, and pharmacy practitioners, the major reference work provides diverse perspectives on the transformative journey from ancient indigenous medicine to the innovation and development of modern biologics and biopharmaceuticals, and as a global supply chain of APIs,  in contemporary China.The text elucidates the historical contexts, societal influences, and pivotal events that have defined China's pharmacy landscape. It examines the factors facilitating the adoption of Western medicine—leading to the integration of chemical drugs and biopharmaceuticals—while acknowledging the enduring significance of traditional practices within the modern healthcare system. Significant emphasis is placed on key historical transitions, exploring the evolution of traditional medicine under Daoist influence and the early integration of exotic materia medica facilitated by Ayurvedic, Buddhist, and Arabic exchanges along the Silk Roads.Furthermore, the handbook investigates pivotal moments such as Admiral Zheng He's 15th-century expeditions, which fostered connections with Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia, thereby strengthening the armamentarium of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It also traces the arrival of Portuguese traders in Macau, the presence of European Jesuits and the Dutch East India Company, and the impact of British and American opium traders, providing a holistic understanding of China's pharmaceutical history within a global context. Beyond historical analysis, this resource offers critical insights into the intricate interplay between traditional and modern methodologies. It highlights the challenges, innovations, and achievements that have established China as a major global supplier of vaccines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The Handbook also articulates the renaissance of TCM and the dramatic rise of China’s pharmaceutical industry in the 48-year period since the “Reform and Open Up” policy was implemented as a national strategy in 1978. As a definitive resource, it presents a nuanced understanding of the dynamic relationship between tradition and modernity in China's healthcare landscape, including recent developments in China-US collaboration regarding fentanyl. It serves as indispensable reading for scholars and students of Asian studies, international relations, and the history of science, technology, and medicine.