[Historical sketch of modern pharmaceutical science and technology (Part 4). Post World War II 50 years].

A short history of the pharmaceutical science and technology, postwar 50 years is divided into nine sections for the purpose of discussion. 1. Japan's postwar rehabilitation, Japanese pharmaceutical industries and newly developed pharmaceutical sciences and technologies. In 1945, the Japanese pharmaceutical industry was reconstructed. Production of penicillin was carried out with the strong support of the U.S. Occupation Forces. New sciences in pharmacy (biochemistry, biopharmacy, pharmacology, microbiology, physical chemistry, etc.) were introduced in this period. 2. Introduction age of foreign new drugs and technology (1951 to 1960s). Japan gained independence in 1951. Japanese pharmaceutical companies imported many new drugs and new pharmaceutical technologies from the U.S.A. and European countries in this period. Then, these companies were reconstruction rapidly. However, consequently Japanese pharmaceutical companies were formed as an imitation industry. 3. Rapid economic growth period for pharmaceutical companies (1956 to 1970s). In this period, many Japanese pharmaceutical companies grew rapidly at an annual rate of 15-20% over a period of 15 years, especially with regard to the production of active vitamin B1 analog drugs and some OTC (public health drugs). Some major companies made large profits, which were used to construct research facilities. 4. Problems for the harmful effects of medicines and its ethical responsibility. In the 1970s, many public toxic and harmful effects of medicines were caused, especially SMON's disease. In this time, many pharmaceutical companies changed to its security got development of ethical drugs. 5. Self development of new drugs and administration of pharmaceutical rules (1970s). During the 1970s, many pharmaceutical laws (GLP, GCP, GMP, GPMSP etc.) were enacted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In 1976, the Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Law was revised, which set forth standards regarding the efficacy and safety of ethical drugs and re-evaluation of drugs. Many facilities were built for the purpose of ensuring efficacy and safety, as shwon in Table 1. 6. Problems of Intellectual Property and followed the revisionist line of research and development for new ethical drugs. In 1976, Japanese pharmaceutical companies ceased to be an imitation industry, and increased research for the development of new drugs. 7. Pharmaceutical science and technology innovation (After 1985). Many of the pharmaceutical innovations during this period were as follows: 7.1) Technology innovation for evaluation of drug efficacy; 7.2) 1st to 3rd medical diagnostic technology innovations; 7.3) medical analytical methods and spectrometry technologies; 7.4) Computer-aided drug-design technology and drug information technology innovation; and 7.5) Drug delivery system and treatment drugs. 8. Recent research and development of new ethical drugs in Japan (1970 to 1995). Cephalosporine type beta-lactams (cefazolin, cefametazole, furomoxef, cefdinir), new quinolones (norfloxcin, ofloxacin, tosfloxcin), H1-Blockers (famotidine), Ca-antagonists (diltiazem, nicardipine), and other new drugs (pravastatine, taclolimus, leuprine) etc. came onto the market. 9. International Harmonization Age and Review toward 21 century. The rapid development and globalization of the pharmaceutical market has promoted international harmonization and rationalization of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs. In 1990, the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association published a report toward 21 century, which described practical plans.