LEGENDS OF AYURVEDA The Late Colonel Dr Ram Nath Chopra (1882–1973) The Father of Indian Pharmacology Brevet Colonel RamNath Chopra is considered a doyen of Indian medical sciences. Colonel RN Chopra was a pioneer in the field of experimental pharmacology of indigenous drugs in India. He has tirelessly served to build an institution of pharmacology in India within a short span of 20 years using traditional descriptive MateriaMedica. Early Life Colonel RNChopra was born on August 17, 1882, in Gujranwala (Punjab, India). His father, Raghu Nath Chopra, was an Indian government official. RNChopra completed schooling and college in Lahore (Pakistan) with a brilliant academic record. In early 1903, he was sent overseas to Downing College, University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) for further studies. Academic Journey In 1905, RN Chopra qualified for a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences in the University of Cambridge. In 1907, he was introduced to experimental pharmacology by Dr Walter E Dixon—a keen experimental pharmacologist and the first professor of pharmacology in the University of Cambridge. Eventually, Dr Dixon encouraged RN Chopra to perform independent experiments in pharmacology. Further, RN Chopra continued to study medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital (London) and successfully cleared the Indian Medical Service (IMS) examination in 1908. He also obtained the Bachelor of Medicine (Cambridge) and Doctor of Medicine (Cambridge) degrees, including the membership of the Royal College of Physicians (London). Career and Contributions RN Chopra returned to India in 1909 to begin his medical service career. During the First World War, he was called to serve on the East African front, and as the Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services during the Afghan War in 1919. In August 1921, RN Chopra joined the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine to fulfil his academic pursuits in pharmacology. He pioneered a paradigm of research in studying the actions of medicinal plants, which influenced an entire generation of pharmacologists, pharmacists, and physiologists in India. He was also the first professor to hold lectures and demonstrations in pharmacology for the undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine. The two decades of Professor RN Chopra’s career were spent in Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, which became the most significant period of his career. He also served as the Director of the school for seven years and established the Center of Study and Research in Pharmacology in the school. In 1930, RN Chopra headed the Drugs Enquiry Committee and contributed significantly to the development of pharmaceutical industry in India. The committee made several important recommendations such as enabling central legislation to control drugs and pharmacy; the drugs act; and the pharmacy act. In 1955, he compiled the first Indian pharmacopoeia comprising many indigenous drugs he studied at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine. These recommendations brought focus on the consolidation of the Indian Systems of Medicine, and greatly influenced the much-needed pharmaceutical developments in India. Photo courtesy: Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 16 • Himalaya Infoline • Vol 19 • No. 2 • May–Aug 2023
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