A new beginning in medical anthropology: scope and relevance of ‘pharmaceutical anthropology’ in India

Abstract

Over the years, medical anthropology like the discipline of anthropology as whole has gone through a lots of changes. The present article discusses about one of these latest modifications, a paradigmatic shift which spared the anthropological lens to look into other more important and contemporary issues in complex and heterogeneous societies. It discusses the issue how pharmaceutical anthropology emerged as subfield. Moreover this article aims at providing some of the historical underpinnings which led to the development of pharmaceutical anthropology. Finally, by discussing about some of the contexts and scopes of pharmaceutical anthropology in India it shows how anthropologists can contribute to the better understanding of present day health care system.

Keywords

• Medical anthropology,pharmaceutical anthropology,health-care system,Indian pharmaceutical industry

References

1. Adams AS, Soumerai SB, Ross-Degnan D. (2001) Thecase for a medicaredrug coverage benefit: acritical review of the empirical evidence. Annu Rev Publ Health 22:49–61.