Historical and medical-pharmaceutical aspects of the creation of a pharmacopeia

The article presents a historical analysis of the works of ancient authors related to the standardization and use of medicinal products underlying their prescriptions, as well as the “Antidotaria,” “Dispensatoria,” “Ricettaria,” and other publications that became the basis of modern pharmacopoeia. Based on the results of the analysis of literary sources on the history of medicine and pharmacy, issues of the standardization and regulation of prescription of medicinal products have always been given special importance in various societies and cultures. The chronology of the collections of prescriptions of medicinal products and then the establishment of a pharmacopoeia indicates the great need for pharmaceutical information for healthcare, determines the stages of development of pharmaceutical science, production, pharmaceutical and medical practice, and standardization and state regulation of medical and pharmaceutical activities. Particular attention is paid to the history of the creation of the first editions of the Russian pharmacopoeia. From physicians, herbalists, and greenery workers, practical information on the treatment of diseases in Russia was then translated, added to the official editions of the pharmacopoeia, and adopted at the state level. The significant contribution of domestic scientists is reflected, thanks to which the domestic pharmacopoeia not only did not yield to foreign counterparts but in some cases even surpassed them, contributing to the development of the country’s healthcare. The role of the staff of the Imperial Medical–Surgical (Military Medical) Academy, who actively participated in the development of various editions of the national state pharmacopoeia during the XIX–XXI centuries, is emphasized.